Municipalities - German Association of Cities concerned about Pirna election result
The German Association of Cities has reacted with concern to the victory of the AfD candidate in the mayoral election in Pirna. "The citizens of Pirna have decided. That is democracy, but the result is very worrying for us at the German Association of Cities. Because it shows that in many places a rift is running through our society at a time when we need more cohesion and joint commitment in order to master the changes and challenges we are facing," explained President Markus Lewe in Berlin on Monday.
Tim Lochner was the first AfD candidate to win a mayoral election in Germany on Sunday. The 53-year-old beat CDU candidate Kathrin Dollinger-Knuth and the independent Ralf Thiele, who ran for the Free Voters, in the second round of voting. Lochner himself is also independent and, by his own admission, does not want to join the AfD. The AfD state association in Saxony was recently classified by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a secure right-wing extremist organization.
"We are aware of the people in our cities who are tired of the crisis and are no longer willing or able to follow some political discussions. They must be our focus. They are the ones we have to take with us in the many changes we are facing," emphasized Lewe. This will not succeed with parties that represent extremist positions. Extremist parties aim to divide society and stir up fear and insecurity. What is needed more than ever is the exchange and reconciliation of different interests. The federal and state governments must therefore involve local authorities in political decision-making processes to a much greater extent than before.
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- The election result in Pirna has resonated deeply within the municipalities affiliated with the German Association of Cities, as they express their concerns about the victory of the AfD candidate.
- The AfD's success in Pirna, with Markus Lochner emerging as the winner, has caused a ripple effect in other municipalities across Germany, particularly in places grappling with political discontent.
- Saxony, home to Pirna, has recently witnessed heightened tensions between the far-right AfD and other parties, adding another layer of complexity to the democratic process at the local level.
- Amidst the elections, the reactions from various political sectors and citizens have highlighted the importance of upholding the principles of democracy, even in the face of divisive political issues.
- Tim Lochner's win in the mayoral election is not the first time that the AfD has made a significant impact on German politics, further fueling debates about the role of extremist parties in democracy.
- The German Association of Cities and other democratically-minded organizations will continue to work closely with municipalities to promote unity, understanding, and dialogue, ensuring that diverse interests are heard and addressed.
- As Berlin and other major cities grapple with their own mayoral elections, the outcome in Pirna serves as a reminder that democracy depends on the collective engagement of citizens and politicians in the democratic process.
Source: www.stern.de
