In Erfurt, the city's government formation: Ramelow proposes aid for Voigt
23:29 Höcke secures seat in Thuringian Parliament via state listThe Alternative for Germany (AfD) excels in 29 out of 44 electoral districts with their direct candidates. Despite losing to CDU politician Christian Tischner in the Greiz II district, the party's impressive 32.8% second vote result guarantees more seats in the state parliament than its direct candidates. As a result, Björn Höcke, the AfD faction leader, manages to secure a seat in the state parliament through the state list, which he leads. In such a scenario, a successful AfD candidate would likely have had to forgo their mandate for Höcke's benefit.
23:13 Preliminary result: AfD triumphs in Thuringia, CDU favors Left, Greens, and FDPFor the first time in a German state election, AfD, led by leading candidate Björn Höcke, obtains the most votes. The party records a significant increase of 32.8% following the tallying of all districts. However, the democratic parties refuse to form a coalition with it, thus preventing AfD from realizing its claim to power. The CDU, as the second strongest force, is likely to negotiate with the Left for a stable government coalition, falling one seat short of a majority with the SPD and BSW.
23:03 Left secures seat in Saxony Parliament via direct mandatesDespite not surpassing the 5% threshold by projections, the Left Party has secured two direct seats in Leipzig, thanks to an idiosyncrasy in the Saxon electoral system. Consequently, the Left Party enters the parliament, jeopardizing the existing Kenia coalition of CDU, Greens, and SPD, which lacks a majority.
22:54 Green Party leader: Migration and Ukraine key electoral determinantsFollowing state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, Green Party leader Omid Nouripour attributes the election outcomes primarily to topics such as migration and Ukraine's peace. Nouripour accuses the federal government of addressing these issues but criticizes the opposition's actions on the stage that damage their efforts.
22:39 Thuringia: Even CDU, BSW, and SPD together lack a majorityIn the aftermath of the Thuringian elections, the red-red-green coalition under Minister President Ramelow has served its purpose. Since none of the parties are interested in forming a coalition with the AfD, the most probable choice for a government coalition is an unprecedented alliance of CDU, BSW, and SPD. This combination is currently one seat short of a majority in the state parliament, thereby requiring the inclusion of The Left.
22:24 CDU's top candidate Voigt fails to secure direct mandate in ThuringiaCDU's top candidate Mario Voigt fails to obtain a direct mandate in his district during the Thuringia state election. Voigt garnered 37.4% of initial votes in Saale-Holzland District II, trailing behind AfD candidate Wiebke Muhsal, who received 39.2% of the votes. In the 2019 state election, Voigt was elected to the state parliament as a direct candidate.
22:07 Young voters in Thuringia favor AfDThe AfD, categorized as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency, attracts more than a third of young voters in Thuringia, according to a survey conducted by infratest dimap for ARD. Of the 18-24 age group in Thuringia, 38% cast their ballots for the AfD, while the Left received 16% and the CDU 13%. The misfortune befalls the Greens, who could only manage 6% of the votes in this age group.
21:39 Kretschmer secures direct mandate in SaxonySaxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer wins the direct mandate in his constituency of Görlitz II. With 47.2% of the votes, the incumbent maintains a considerable lead over the AfD candidate, who gathered 39.4% of the votes. Despite Kretschmer's party performing poorly in his area, amassing 34.2% of the support, the AfD garnered 37.3% of votes in the constituency.
21:32 Final projections for Saxony: CDU surges aheadIn Saxony, recent projections from ARD and ZDF show the CDU leading the AfD with a substantial margin. Both Infratest Dimap (ARD) and the Forschungsgruppe Wahlen (ZDF) consistently record the CDU with 31.5-31.8% votes, significantly higher than the AfD with 30.4-30.8%. Initially, the Forschungsgruppe Wahlen's projection revealed a neck-and-neck race between the CDU and AfD, with the AfD gradually closing in on the CDU's narrow lead. In contrast, the ARD projection remains consistent in favoring the CDU.
21:21 Thuringia: Ramelow's Dream Scenario UnlikelyThe Left party in Thuringia has faced heavy losses in the state elections, and Minister President Bodo Ramelow may have to step down. One of Ramelow's hopes for the night - preventing the AfD from gaining at least a third of all votes - seems unlikely to materialize, as the AfD is on track to achieve this, potentially complicating decisions requiring a two-thirds majority.
21:13 SPD Remains Single-Digit, but Klingbeil Stands by Scholz SPD leader Lars Klingbeil has affirmed that Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz still has the backing of his party despite the poor performances in the Thuringia and Saxony elections. He reiterated this in an interview with ZDF, stating, "And simultaneously, in my role as party leader, I expect everyone to now work even harder than before." They all need to work towards regaining the trust of voters, Klingbeil added.
21:02 Kubicki: "Traffic Light Coalition's Legitimacy is Questionable"FDP deputy chairman Wolfgang Kubicki has urged consequences for the federal coalition in response to the disappointing results of the "traffic light" parties in the Saxony and Thuringia elections. "The election outcome shows: The traffic light coalition's legitimacy is questionable," he tweeted. If a significant portion of voters rejects them in such a way, it necessitates consequences. According to Kubicki, "people have the impression that 'this coalition is harming the country.'" The FDP fell short of the 5% threshold in both state elections and is currently polling at around 1%.
20:41 Höcke Falls Short of Direct Mandate in ThuringiaThe district of Greiz II, where AfD faction leader Björn Höcke is running, has been counted: Höcke has failed to gain the necessary majority of votes to directly enter the Thuringia state parliament. However, according to ntv information, the party will secure Höcke's seat in the state parliament. Another AfD MP will step down in his favor.
20:37 Left Party Proposed for Saxony Parliament Despite 4% LossIn the Saxony election, the Left party has managed to remain in the state parliament despite significant losses. Although it did not clear the 5% hurdle with second votes, it is estimated to have 4.3%. However, two Left party direct candidates in Leipzig constituencies are leading with a substantial margin over their opponents. Two direct mandates would be sufficient to secure the Left party at least a few seats in the new state parliament. The two potential winners of the constituencies could also secure the first places on their party's state list, which would mean that the current CDU, SPD, and Green coalition would not have a majority - Minister President Kretschmer would require the support of the BSW for a majority government.
20:28 Thuringia: AFD's Strong Performance ContinuesIn the current ZDF projection for the election result in Thuringia, the AFD can continue to boost its performance. According to this, it reaches 33.4% of the votes. The CDU is at 23.8%, the SWB at 15.5%, and the Left party at 11.9%, the SPD at 6.0%, and the Greens at 3.4% of the votes. The FDP does not exceed 1.2%.
20:17 Preliminary Result for Saxony: CDU's Lead Over AFD NarrowAccording to the latest ZDF projection, the CDU in Saxony now holds a razor-thin lead over the AFD. The Christian Democrats are at 31.5%, while the AFD, classified as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency, is at 31.4%. In Thuringia, the AFD has apparently surpassed the CDU in the projections. The Greens are currently at 5.1% in Saxony, and their parliamentary seats are in doubt. The Left is projected to achieve 4.3%, barely making it, while the SPD is securely in the state parliament with 7.6%.
19:56 Thuringia: Höcke's Direct Seat under ThreatAfD faction leader Björn Höcke's direct entry into the Thuringia state parliament is in jeopardy in the Thuringia election. With 68 of 74 electoral districts counted, the CDU candidate Christian Tischner is leading with 42.3% of the votes, ahead of Höcke, who has 40.4%. If Tischner wins a majority of the votes in the Greiz II electoral district, Höcke will not secure a direct seat. He would then rely on a seat in parliament via the state list, which he leads. However, if many AfD candidates are successful as direct candidates, no one will enter parliament via the state list.
19:50 Höcke on AFD's Success: "The Wall Politics Have Failed"The AFD is projected to enter the Thuringia state parliament as the strongest force. "The wall politics have failed," said the party's top candidate, Björn Höcke. In an interview with ntv, he described the election result as a "historic outcome" and discussed the upcoming government formation.
19:42 Ramelow: Left Party "Devoured"Thuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow attributes two reasons for the "devouring" of his Left Party: "Previously, a CDU that consistently equated the AfD and the Left, always emphasized the 'exclusionist' issue in our direction, although they have actually shaped the country with us for five years," stated the head of government on ntv. He also mentions a BSW that announced it would bring the AfD 17 percent of the votes but ended up taking votes from the Left. Ramelow could still celebrate the high voter turnout.
19:26 Nouripour on AfD's Triumph: "My Sympathies are with those who are Scared"The AfD is winning over 30 percent in both Saxony and Thuringia elections, leaving the coalition parties in dust. Green Party leader Omid Nouripour views the AfD's election result as a "turning point" and a call to unitedly defend democracy.
19:08 Wagenknecht pursues CDU and possibly SPD coalition in ThuringiaBSW chairwoman Sahra Wagenknecht is aiming for a coalition with the CDU and potentially also the SPD in Thuringia. "We are very eager to succeed in forming a good government together with the CDU - possibly also with the SPD," said Wagenknecht in the ARD. After five years of minority government, people want a stable majority government that tackles concrete problems like "severe teaching shortages" in Thuringia, the BSW chairwoman demanded. However, people also want a state government that "raises its voice in national politics" - one that, according to Wagenknecht, stands for "peace, diplomacy" and against the stationing of US missiles in Germany. She rules out coalitions with the AfD for Thuringia.
19:02 Thuringia Forecast: AfD further bolsters resultA ZDF forecast for the election result in Thuringia sees the AfD even more successful than initial assumptions. According to this, the right-wing extremists are achieving 33.1 percent of the votes in the federal state. The CDU is at 24.3, Sahra Wagenknecht's alliance is at 15 percent from scratch. The Left, which currently holds the - popular - minister presidency with Bodo Ramelow, is losing nearly 8 percentage points and is at 11.7. The SPD is at 6.6, the Greens at 4 percent of the votes.
18:56 Goring-Eckardt: AfD's Success is a Democratic "Jolt" in GermanyPoliticians of the Greens are more flustered by the AfD's success in Thuringia than their own party's setback in the election. Katrin Goring-Eckardt, the green parliamentary vice-president, sees the success of the right-wing extremists as a "jolt" in Germany. Party leader Omid Nouripour feels his pain over his party's failure as "insignificant" when considering that the AfD has become the strongest force in a state parliament.
18:48 Kretschmer on Saxony: "We Have Every Reason to Celebrate"The incumbent Saxon Minister President Michael Kretschmer views the CDU as a rock in the government coalition. "We have every reason to celebrate," said Kretschmer at his party's election party. "Behind us are five tough years," during which the people of Saxony have trusted the CDU and not made a protest vote. "We know how disappointed the people are with what's happening in Berlin."
18:39 Saxony Forecast: CDU's lead over AfD narrowsAccording to initial ZDF projections, the CDU's lead over the AfD in the Saxony state election is narrowing: The CDU is now only very narrowly ahead of the AfD with 31.9 to 31.3 percent of the votes cast. The BSW is at 11.6 percent, the SPD at 7.8. The Greens would just make it into the state parliament with 5.2 percent, while the Left would be out with 4.5 percent.
18:33 Weidel Claims Government Participation for AfDAfD federal party chairwoman Alice Weidel is claiming government participation for her party in Thuringia and Saxony. "Under normal circumstances, adhering to the customs in this country, the strongest party, which is the AfD, should explore this," Weidel said in the ARD, referring to Thuringia. "The voter wants the AfD to be involved in the government. We bind 30 percent of the voters in both federal states, and without us, a stable government is not even possible."
18:30 SPD Secretary-General: "We Almost Failed to Grade the State Parliament"SPD secretary-general Kevin Kühnert acknowledges his party's modest results in the elections in Thuringia and Saxony. "This is not an evening to celebrate for the SPD," he said in the ARD. At the same time, his party has had a tough time for years. "There was a real risk of failing to score enough votes to remain in the state parliaments," Kühnert said. "Fighting is worth it, we are essential." A lot needs to be changed, Kühnert said, mentioning: explaining more and listening to voters. When asked about Chancellor Olaf Scholz, he said: "We have to explain our policies jointly."
18:23 Höcke Celebrates Thuringia Result as "Landmark Triumph"AFD parliamentary group leader Björn Höcke views the Thuringia result as "landmark." The AFD is the most popular people's party in the federal state, "the preposterous barrier nonsense must cease," Höcke stated in MDR. Only change will happen through the AFD, he said.
18:21 Chrupalla on Thuringia: "Even with the CDU"AFD party leader Tino Chrupalla sees his party's result in Thuringia as noteworthy, indicating a shift in voter intent in both federal states, he declared in ZDF. The AFD is open to discussions with all parties. "In Saxony, we are equally matched with the CDU," the AFD aims to make politics beneficial for Saxony, Chrupalla said.
18:17 CDU Secretary-General: No Alliance with AFDCDU secretary-general Carsten Linnemann has ruled out alliances with the AFD in Thuringia or Saxony. "We are unwavering in our stance," he stated in ARD. The CDU will form governments from the center of the parliament, he said. He is confident that this will succeed. The CDU remains the last remaining people's party, the "protective rampart," the traffic light parties have been penalized, Linnemann said.
18:13 Projection for Saxony: CDU Slightly Ahead of AFD, BSW at 12 Percent, Greens on the VergeBased on the initial projection for the Saxony state election, the CDU is the victor with 31.5% of the votes cast. It barely surpasses the AFD with 30%. The BSW is the third-strongest force with 12%, the SPD remains in the state parliament with 8.5%, and the Greens are barely hanging on with 5.5%. The Left is out with 4%, and the FDP is also not featured in the new parliament.
18:10 Projection for Thuringia: AFD Leads CDU, BSW Gains 16%Following the initial projection for the Thuringia state election, the expected majority of votes for the AFD appears to be at 30.5%, with the CDU at 24.5%, and the Left at 12.5%. The SPD would be represented in the state parliament with 7%, and the BSW would secure a seat in the state legislature with 16%. The Greens and the FDP would remain below 5%.
18:01 AFD Leads in Thuringia, BSW in Saxony Above Double DigitsAccording to the initial projection after the state election in Thuringia, the AFD emerges as the dominant force, as expected. The SPD would pass the 5% hurdle, while the Greens and FDP would remain under it. In Saxony, the BSW achieves a double-digit result from scratch. The CDU is barely ahead of the AFD. According to the projection, the Left and the FDP would not be represented in the state parliament, while the Greens would remain in it.
17:18 Björn Höcke Risking State Parliament SeatThe AFD faction leader in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, does not have a secure seat in the forthcoming state parliament. His successful party colleagues could even sabotage his bid. Many of those running for the AFD in the constituencies have good chances of winning a direct mandate. However, Höcke - who faces strong competition from the CDU candidate Christian Tischner in his constituency of Greiz II - does not. If Tischner wins and the AFD gains more direct mandates than it is entitled to from the second vote results, then none of the incumbents, including Höcke, could enter via the state list. In this scenario, the AFD could persuade a successful direct candidate to waive their state parliament seat, permitting Höcke to secure his mandate.
16:48 AFD Thuringia Wants to Celebrate without Media CoverageThere is a high likelihood that there will be no media coverage of the Thuringian AFDelection party. The party, which the domestic intelligence service has classified as right-wing extremist, attempted to exclude several media outlets from the event. However, a court prohibited this, leading the state party to exclude all the press. A party spokesman attributed it to organizational problems: There was not enough space at the event location for all the accredited media representatives.
16:29 Approximately a Quarter Voted in Saxony by MailFor the election that Saxony's CDU Minister President Michael Kretschmer has labeled a "determining election" for the federal state, approximately 25% of eligible voters have already cast their ballots by mail. The state election commissioner expects 24.6% of voters to have voted by mail. The voter turnout today was barely higher than in 2019 at the early afternoon.
15:52 Höcke Casts Vote in Lada - Ramelow with WifeThuringia's AFDboss and top candidate cast his vote in the morning. The 52-year-old arrived at his polling station in Bornhagen in the Eichsfeld district in a Lada Niva, a Russian-made off-road vehicle. Höcke voted in Bornhagen in the Eichsfeld district.
State Leader Bodo Ramelow voted in the capital city of Erfurt. The 68-year-old voted alongside his wife Germana Alberti vom Hofe. He's been in charge of the government in the Free State since 2014, leading a coalition without a majority recently.
15:40 Higher Voter Turnout than Previous TimeIn Thuringia, 44.4% of voters had cast their ballots by 14:00, marking an increase of more than two points compared to the election five years prior. This suggests a high turnout. However, postal voters have not yet been accounted for, according to the state election commissioner. In Saxony, turnout was 35.4% by early afternoon, slightly higher than in 2019, but the state election commissioner predicts a significantly higher number of postal votes than in 2019. Polling stations in both states will close at 18:00.
15:13 Kretschmer Hopes for Coalition with Ampel Parties
14:40 Key Issues for Saxony and ThuringiaA large survey indicates that approximately one-third of voters in Saxony and Thuringia plan to vote for the AfD in the upcoming elections on September 1st. The survey highlights the main concerns and problems, with migration being just one of them.
14:13 Höcke Exits Polling Station SwiftlyIn Thuringia, the AfD's top candidate, Björn Höcke, cast his vote around midday. He did not linger long at the Bornhagen polling station and did not speak to journalists on site. Höcke had switched his home constituency to Greiz after consistently losing to the CDU candidate in his previous constituency of Eichsfeld. However, he also faces defeat against the CDU in this constituency.
13:50 Voter Turnout in Thuringia Remains ConsistentIn Thuringia, voter turnout remains consistent with the previous parliamentary election. According to the state election commissioner, around 32% of eligible voters had cast their ballots by 12:00. Postal voters are not included in these numbers. In 2019, turnout was 31.2% at this time. There appears to be more interest in the state election than in the European and municipal elections held earlier this year, where turnout was 24.3% at the same time.
13:29 High Voter Turnout Expected in SaxonyIn Saxony, a high voter turnout is expected. By midday, 25.8% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, according to the Statistical State Office in Kamenz. In the previous state election in 2019, the figure was 26.2% at the same time. Postal voters are not yet included in the preliminary figures, but it's expected that 24.6% of eligible voters will exercise their right to vote by post, compared to 16.9% in 2019. The state election commission reports that the elections are running smoothly so far, with no known issues.
13:11 von Lucke: Election Result Could Weaken Berlin CoalitionThe results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia are still pending. If the SPD does not make it into the state parliament, it would "almost be an earthquake," according to political scientist Albrecht von Lucke. In an interview with ntv, he discusses the election and its potential consequences.
12:44 Police Investigating Threat at Polling StationAfter an incident at a polling station in Gera, the police have taken a report of a threat. A man wearing an AfD T-shirt entered the polling station in the morning, according to a police spokesperson. The polling station manager asked the man to remove the shirt as party advertising was prohibited in the polling station. Although the man complied, he threatened to "come back" as he was dissatisfied with how he was treated while leaving the polling station grounds. The police then filed a report and admonished the man. Additionally, the police in Erfurt are investigating some political graffiti ("Höcke is a Nazi") near polling stations as potential criminal damage.
12:15 Correctiv Warns of Circulating False InformationThe research network Correctiv is warning of a recurring false claim. It states that signing the ballot protects against vote-rigging. However, the Federal Returning Officer's office confirmed to Correctiv: "The ballot may not be signed. Signing the ballot by the voter jeopardizes the secrecy of the vote, rendering the entire ballot invalid."
11:51 Voigt Hopes for "Stable Majority Relations"Thuringia's CDU top candidate Mario Voigt has also cast his vote. He wishes for "many Thuringians to go out and vote, exercising their right to determine the future of our land," he said while voting in Jena. He also hopes for "stable majority relations" to enable the land to move forward again.
11:25 Sonneberg Experiences Massive Increase in Far-Right AttacksSonneberg is the first district in Germany to be led by an AfD politician. However, since then, engaged individuals have reported being massively threatened, leading many to quit their work. Moreover, the number of far-right attacks has reportedly increased fivefold within a year. Experts see a connection to the AfD district administrator.
10:57 Kretschmer at the Polling Station: Significant Election Saxony's leader Michael Kretschmer calls the state's parliamentary election "likely the most significant in 34 years." While casting his vote in Dresden, he thanked many individuals who "previously voted differently" but now selected the "strong force in the moderate center," namely the Saxon Union. "This agreement will enable us to build a government that serves this land," Kretschmer added. Recent polls suggest his CDU is in a close battle with the AfD.
10:30 Ramelow: Wagenknecht Excluded from Ballot For Thuringia's Minister-President Bodo Ramelow, election day is a "celebration of democracy" - even if his chances of re-election are slimmer. In an interview with ntv, the politician from the Left Party explains his viewpoint against a minority government and doubts the competence of the BSW.
09:59 "Historical Misgivings" - Historian Critical of Election Date Historian Peter Oliver Loew denounces the date of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, occurring on the 85th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland in 1939. "Whoever favored holding elections on September 1st had serious reservations about history," says the director of the German Polish Institute to the editorial network Germany (RND). Regarding the AfD, labeled "securely right-wing extremist" by the domestic intelligence service in both states, Loew said: "This could generate unpleasant associations if the party also emerges victorious in Dresden and Erfurt, whose ties to the NS era remain unclear."
09:30 "Pivotal Election": All Data for the State Election in Saxony Over 3.3 million eligible voters in Saxony have the opportunity today to choose the future political course in the Dresden state parliament. The CDU might relinquish its position as the most powerful force in the state for the first time since 1990. According to Michael Kretschmer, the Saxony Minister President, this election is "pivotal." "Everything is at stake."
09:05 Kretschmer Criticizes Traffic Light Government's "Election Hustle and Bustle" Election day in Saxony has arrived, and the question is whether Minister President Michael Kretschmer will continue the CDU's winning streak in the state. In an ntv interview, he discusses his position on the refugee debate, the traffic light government, and the Ukraine war.
08:46 All Data for the Election in Thuringia The time has come: The federal state with around 2.1 million inhabitants will determine who will govern for the next five years. Will the AfD, led by top candidate Bjorn Hocke, emerge as the strongest force in Thuringia?
08:24 How the AfD Could Jeopardize Democracy Polls suggest: The AfD is likely to substantially augment its influence in the upcoming elections in Saxony and Thuringia. In light of this, democratic institutions could be threatened, as research has highlighted. The rule of law may not be as robust as many believe.
08:00 Polling Stations Open in Thuringia and Saxony New state parliaments are being elected in Thuringia and Saxony today. In the polls, the AfD holds a clear lead in Thuringia. In Saxony, the CDU of Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer and the AfD are locked in a tight race. Initial projections are expected by 6 pm. The elections in the two eastern German federal states serve as a barometer for the traffic light coalition in Berlin.
For the currently governing red-red-green coalition of Minister President Bodo Ramelow (Left) in Thuringia, there is no majority in the polls. A coalition of CDU, the Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance, and the SPD is a possible option following the election. In Saxony, it remains undecided if the current coalition of CDU, SPD, and Greens still holds a majority. Kretschmer does not dismiss a partnership with the BSW. The Left could face expulsion from the parliament in Saxony. The same fate could befall the Greens and FDP in Thuringia.
The CDU will likely need to consider including The Left in a coalition to form a majority government in Thuringia, as they are currently one seat short. Despite the CDU's top candidate Mario Voigt failing to secure a direct mandate in the Thuringia state election, the party still managed to secure seats through the state list.
