In the viewpoint of a political specialist, a minority government in Saxony might be achievable.
00:10 Government Formation in Erfurt: Ramelow Offers Voigt AssistanceThuringia's head honcho Bodo Ramelow, from the Left Party, agrees to aid CDU leader Mario Voigt in establishing a functional majority government in the Erfurt parliament. "We need a functional state administration, even if I won't be a part of it," Ramelow stated to TV station Phoenix. He aims to support "the individual who has the mandate from the voters to form a majority government within the democratic spectrum," which is Voigt in this situation. Ramelow has no issues with the BSW or the CDU. "I'm fighting against the normalization of fascism," he mentioned. He wants to ensure "we don't have a parliamentary hostage situation where the AfD forces all other parties." Ramelow will enter the new parliament with a straight mandate. So far, the CDU has ruled out any collaboration with the Left Party.
23:30 Höcke Guaranteed Seat in Thuringian Parliament via State ListThe AfD has been successful with its direct candidates in 29 of 44 electoral districts. However, faction leader Björn Höcke lost to CDU politician Christian Tischner in the Greiz II electoral district. Nevertheless, the AfD's powerful second vote result of 32.8 percent guarantees more seats in the state parliament for the party than direct candidates. Höcke, who leads the state list, will also enter the state parliament. In the event of a successful AfD candidate waiving the mandate, Höcke would likely assume the seat.
23:09 Preliminary Result: AfD Wins in Thuringia, CDU Likely to Negotiate with Left, Greens, and FDPIn Thuringia, the AfD has secured the most votes in a state election for the first time in Germany. The party led by top candidate Björn Höcke achieved a clear plus of 32.8 percent. Unfortunately, it will not be able to claim power, as none of the democratic parties are willing to form a coalition with it. As the second-strongest force, the CDU will likely have to engage in negotiations with the Left Party to form a stable government coalition. A majority with the SPD and BSW is one seat short.
23:04 Left Party in Saxony in State Parliament Despite Direct MandatesThe Left Party has succeeded in securing two direct mandates in Leipzig in the state election. Thanks to a peculiarity of the Saxon electoral system, the party will enter the parliament despite not surpassing the 5 percent threshold according to projections. The Left Party's entry into the state parliament means that the Kenya coalition of CDU, Greens, and SPD no longer holds a majority, according to projections.
22:53 Green Party Leader: Migration and Ukraine Crucial for Election OutcomesGreen Party leader Omid Nouripour attributes the results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia mainly to the issues of migration and Ukraine. "It's clear that migration and the question of peace in Ukraine played a significant role in the final stages," he told the Phoenix broadcaster. While the federal government is addressing these issues, "we suffer a disadvantage because this coalition delivers but also undermines itself on stage with unnecessary disputes."
22:37 Thuringia: CDU, BSW, and SPD currently without majorityIn Thuringia, the previous minority coalition of red-red-green under Minister President Ramelow has come to an end. As no party wants to form a coalition with the AfD, the most likely option for a government coalition is an unprecedented alliance of CDU, BSW, and SPD. However, according to current projections (as of 22:15), this constellation is one seat shy of achieving a majority in the state parliament. Therefore, such a coalition would also rely on The Left.
22:22 CDU's Top Candidate Voigt Misses Direct Mandate in ThuringiaCDU's leading candidate Mario Voigt missed the direct mandate in his constituency in the Thuringia state election. He received 37.4 percent of the first votes in the Saale-Holzland district II, lagging behind AfD candidate Wiebke Muhsal, who received 39.2 percent of the votes. In the 2019 state election, Voigt had been elected to the state parliament as a direct candidate.
22:05 Many Young Voters in Thuringia Support AfDMore than a third of young voters in Thuringia have cast their ballot for the AfD, a party classified as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency. This is the outcome of a survey conducted by infratest dimap for ARD. According to the survey, 38 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds in Thuringia voted for the AfD. The Left received 16 percent, the CDU 13 percent. The Greens suffered the worst result among young voters, with only 6 percent of the votes in this age group.
21:32 Saxony: CDU now dominating polls over AfDIn Saxony, the CDU is strongly leading the polls against the AfD by both ARD and ZDF. Infratest Dimap (ARD) and the Forschungsgruppe Wahlen (ZDF) consistently show the CDU with a slight edge, obtaining 31.5 to 31.8 percent, while the AfD garner 30.4 to 30.8 percent. Initially, Forschungsgruppe Wahlen's poll indicated a close race between the CDU and AfD, with the AfD slowly catching up to a narrow CDU lead. However, the ARD poll consistently showed the CDU taking the lead.
21:21 Thuringia: Ramelow's goal seemingly unattainableThe Left has suffered severe setbacks in Thuringia's state elections, potentially forcing Minister President Bodo Ramelow to step down. One of today's aspirations seems unlikely to materialize: Ramelow had desired that the AfD would not secure at least a third of all votes. However, it appears that this has taken place, potentially creating an obstacle for decisions requiring a two-thirds majority.
21:13 SPD in single digits, but Klingbeil pledges loyalty to ScholzFederal Chancellor Olaf Scholz still has the backing of his party, the SPD, despite the disappointing results in the Thuringia and Saxony state elections, as stated by SPD leader Lars Klingbeil. In an interview with ZDF, Klingbeil emphasized, "And I, as the federal chairman of the party, also demand that everyone now works even harder than they have been." The responsibility lies with everyone to win back voter support, Klingbeil added.
21:02 FDP deputy chairman Kubicki: "The traffic light coalition has lost its legitimacy"Following the subpar performances of the traffic light parties in Saxony and Thuringia's elections, the FDP's deputy chairman, Wolfgang Kubicki, has called for consequences for the federal coalition. "The election result indicates: The traffic light coalition has lost its legitimacy," Kubicki posted on "X." If a significant portion of the electorate rejects it in such a manner, it should result in consequences. People have the impression that "this coalition is damaging the country," Kubicki stated. The FDP has failed to surpass the 5 percent threshold in both state elections and is currently hovering around 1 percent.
20:41 Thuringia: Höcke misses direct mandateThe district of Greiz II, where AfD faction leader Björn Höcke is seeking office, has been counted: Höcke has fallen short of the required votes to earn a direct seat in the Thuringia state parliament. According to ntv sources, the party will safeguard Höcke's position in the state parliament through another AfD representative's resignation in his favor.
20:37 Saxony: Left likely to secure a seat despite 4 percent dropDespite significant losses, the Left is expected to maintain its position in the Saxony state parliament. Although it has not surpassed the 5 percent threshold with second votes and currently stands at 4.3 percent, two Left direct candidates in Leipzig constituencies hold a substantial lead over the competitors. Two direct mandates would secure the Left at least a handful of seats in the new state parliament. The two potential winners could also secure a seat for the top positions on their party's list, making it challenging for the current coalition of CDU, SPD, and Greens to maintain a majority.
20:17 Current Estimate for Saxony: CDU's Lead Over AfD Narrows to a Feather's WidthAccording to ZDF's latest forecast, the CDU in Saxony only leads the AfD by a minuscule 0.1 percentage points. This places the Christian Democrats at 31.5 percent, with the AfD, classified as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency, at 31.4 percent. In Thuringia, the AfD has allegedly outpaced the CDU in the estimates. The Greens currently stand at 5.1 percent in Saxony, putting their parliamentary seats in jeopardy. The Left has a slim chance with an estimated 4.3 percent, while the SPD is secure in the state parliament with 7.6 percent.
19:56 Thuringia: Höcke's Direct Seat under ThreatAfD faction leader Björn Höcke's chances of securing a direct seat in the Thuringia state parliament are now uncertain. With 68 out of 74 electoral districts tallied, CDU candidate Christian Tischner is in the lead with 42.3 percent of the votes, besting Höcke, who has gained 40.4 percent. If Tischner attains the majority of votes in the Greiz II electoral district, Höcke will not secure a direct seat. Instead, he would rely on a parliamentary seat via the party list, which he currently heads. However, if several AfD candidates achieve success as direct candidates, no one will secure a seat through the party list.
19:50 Höcke on AfD's Success: "The Wall Politics Have Failed"The AfD is poised to enter the Thuringia state parliament as the dominant force. "The wall politics have failed," stated the party's top candidate, Björn Höcke. In an interview with ntv, he described the election result as an "historic achievement" and discussed the upcoming government formation.
19:42 Ramelow: Left Party has been "Devoured"Thuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow beliefs two main factors led to the "devouring" of his Left Party: "On the one hand, a CDU that has consistently associated the AfD and the Left, and has always directed 'exclusionary' rhetoric towards us, despite having collaboratively shaped the country for five years," he explained to ntv. Ramelow also pointed towards a pollster's forecast indicating the AfD would receive 17 percent of votes as another reason for the Left's decline. Despite this, Ramelow could still revel in the high voter turnout.
19:26 Nouripour on AfD's Triumph: "My Thoughts are with Those Who are Anxious"The AfD is capturing over 30 percent in both Saxony and Thuringia, leaving the coalition parties far behind. Green Party leader Omid Nouripour views the AfD's election result as a "turning point" and a call to unitedly safeguard democracy.
19:08 Wagenknecht seeks CDU coalition in Thuringia, potentially with SPDBSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht aims for a coalition with the CDU in Thuringia, and potentially also with the SPD. "We genuinely hope we can form a decent government together with the CDU at the end - possibly also with the SPD," she stated in the ARD. After five years of a minority government, people yearn for a dependable majority government that will tackle pressing issues like the substantial teacher absenteeism in Thuringia, the BSW leader stressed. However, people also want a state government that makes its voice heard in federal politics - one that stands for peace, diplomacy, and opposes the stationing of US missiles in Germany, according to Wagenknecht. She ruled out collaborations with the AfD in Thuringia.
19:02 ZDF projection for Thuringia: AfD continues to improve its resultA ZDF projection for the Thuringia election results shows the AfD even further successful than initially anticipated. According to this, the far-right party receives 33.1 percent of the votes in the state. The CDU is at 24.3, Sahra Wagenknecht's alliance earns 15 percent from the ground up. The Left, which currently still supports the - popular - Minister President Bodo Ramelow, loses almost 8 percentage points and is at 11.7. The SPD comes to 6.6, the Greens to 4 percent of the votes.
18:56 Göring-Eckardt: AfD triumph is a democratic "shock" in GermanyMore than the Green Party's defeat in Thuringia, federal politicians of the party are shaken by the AfD's triumph in Thuringia. Katrin Göring-Eckardt, green Bundestag vice-president, views the success of the far-right extremists as a "shock" in Germany. Party leader Omid Nouripour feels his party's failure as "insignificant" when considering that the AfD has become the dominant force in a state parliament.
18:48 Kretschmer on Saxony: "We have every reason to rejoice"The incumbent Saxon Minister President Michael Kretschmer sees the CDU as the foundation of the government coalition. "We have every reason to rejoice," he said at his party's victory celebration. "Behind us lie five harsh years," the people in Saxony have trusted the CDU and did not make a protest vote. "We know how disappointed the people are with what's occurring in Berlin."
18:33 AfD Chairman Claims Government Participation for AfDAfD's federal chairman, Alice Weidel, is claiming government participation for her party in Thuringia and Saxony. "According to the principles of this country, when the strongest party - which is the AfD - should first be consulted," she says on ARD, referring to Thuringia. "The voter wants the AfD to be involved in the government. We attract 30 percent of the votes in both federal states, and without us, a stable government is not even conceivable."
18:30 SPD Secretary-General: "There Was a Risk of Being Ousted from the State Parliament"SPD secretary-general Kevin Kühnert has acknowledged his party's modest results in the Thuringia and Saxony elections. "This is not a cause for celebration for the SPD," he said on ARD. At the same time, his party has struggled for years. "There was a significant risk of being expelled from the state parliaments," said Kühnert. "Fighting is worthwhile, we are needed." Much needs to be modified, he said, mentioning: more transparency and listening to voters. When asked about Chancellor Olaf Scholz, he said: "We need to discuss our politics collectively."
18:23 Höcke Celebrates Thuringia Result as "Epic Victory"AfD parliamentary group leader Björn Höcke sees the Thuringia result as "epic." The AfD is the most popular party in the state, "the ridiculous firewall nonsense needs to stop," he said on MDR. Change will only arise with the AfD, he said.
18:21 Chrupalla on Thuringia: "Even Steven with the CDU"AFD leader Tino Chrupalla is praising his party's performance as remarkable, suggesting that the electorate is witnessing a political shift in both regions. Chrupalla has indicated that the AFD is open to dialogue with all parties, as stated in a ZDF interview. In Saxony, the AFD finds itself in a tight race with the CDU, aiming to create politics that benefits Saxony, according to Chrupalla.
18:17 Linnemann (CDU Sec-Gen): No Coalition with AFD in Thuringia or SaxonyCDU Secretary-General Carsten Linnemann has ruled out any collaborations with the AFD in either Thuringia or Saxony. "We're intent on making that very clear," Linnemann stated on ARD. The CDU intends to form governments based on the parliament's center, expressing optimism about its success. Linnemann argued that the CDU remains the last surviving people's party, with the "traffic light parties" facing punishment.
18:13 Projection for Saxony: CDU Edges Out AFD, BSW at 12 Percent, Greens Just InBased on the initial projections for the Saxony state election, the CDU emerges as the victor with 31.5% of the votes cast. The CDU only barely surpasses the AFD, which garnered 30% of the votes. The BSW ranks third strongest with 12%, while the SPD remains in the state parliament with 8.5%. The Greens manage to just squeeze into the parliament with 5.5%, while the Left is eliminated with 4%, and the FDP does not make it into the new parliament.
18:10 Estimate for Thuringia: AFD Ahead of CDU, BSW Reaches 16%The initial forecast for the Thuringia state election predicts a significant lead for the AFD with 30.5% of the votes, followed by the CDU with 24.5%. The Left also ranks third with 12.5%, and the SPD would gain entry into the state parliament with 7%. The BSW manages to secure a seat in the state legislature with 16%. The Greens and the FDP fall short of the 5% threshold.
18:01 AFD Dominates Thuringia Election, BSW Boost in SaxonyAccording to the initial forecast, the AFD dominates the Thuringia state election. The SPD surpasses the 5% hurdle, while the Greens and FDP fail to meet it. In Saxony, the BSW achieves a double-digit result from scratch, with the CDU just barely ahead of the AFD. Based on the forecast, the Left and the FDP would not be represented in the state parliament, while the Greens continue to be.
17:18 Höcke's Parliament Seat UncertainAFD faction leader in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, may not secure a seat in the future state parliament. His successful party colleagues could potentially compromise his chances. Many AFD candidates in the constituencies boast strong prospects of winning a direct mandate. However, Höcke faces stiff opposition from CDU candidate Christian Tischner in his constituency of Greiz II. If Tischner wins, and the AFD secures more direct mandates than the quotas assigned based on the second vote results, no one will be able to enter via the state list – not even Hugo, the one in first place. In such a scenario, the AFD might attempt to convince a victorious direct candidate to relinquish their seat, enabling Höcke to secure his mandate.
16:48 Thuringian AFD Plans to Exclude Media from CelebrationThere is a possibility that the Thuringian AFD's election celebration will fail to receive media coverage. The far-right party attempted to eject numerous media outlets from the event. Unfortunately, a court disallowed this, forcing the state party to ban all press. A spokesperson cited logistical problems: there was insufficient space at the event venue to accommodate all the registered media representatives.
16:29 Over 20% Voted by Mail in SaxonyFor the election, which CDU Minister President Michael Kretschmer has labeled a "crucial election" for Saxony, approximately 24.6% of eligible voters have already cast their ballots by mail. The state election office estimates a 24.6% mail-in vote turnout. At the midday, the voter turnout was only marginally higher than during the 2019 polls.
15:52 Höcke Votes in a Lada, Ramelow Voted with WifeThuringia's AFD state leader and top contender, Björn Höcke, cast his vote this morning. The 52-year-old arrived at his polling station in Bornhagen, Eichsfeld district, in a Lada Niva, a Russian-made off-road vehicle. Minister President Bodo Ramelow voted in the state capital of Erfurt, accompanied by his wife Germana Alberti vom Hofe. Ramelow, 68, has been Thuringia's head of government since 2014, leading a minority coalition.
15:40 Voting Participation Surpasses Previous Election's LevelIn Thuringia, over 44.4% of voters have voted by 2:00 PM, which is an improvement of more than two percentage points compared to the election five years prior. This indicates a high turnout. Voters who have chosen to cast their ballots via mail have yet to be accounted for, as per the state election commissioner. In Saxony, voting participation was at 35.4% by midday, slightly higher than in 2019, but the election commissioner anticipates a significant increase in mail-in votes compared to 2019. Polling stations in both states close at 6:00 PM.
15:13 Kretschmer Looks Forward to Coalition with Ampel PartiesThe upcoming elections on September 1st in Saxony and Thuringia have Kretschmer holding out hope for a coalition with Ampel parties.
14:40 Major Concerns and Problems Fuelling AfD Support in Saxony and ThuringiaA major survey reveals that about a third of people in Saxony and Thuringia plan to vote for the AfD in the September 1st elections. The survey highlights several significant concerns and problems, including migration as one of them.
14:13 Höcke Leaves Polling Station SwiftlyThuringia's AfD top candidate, Björn Höcke, finished voting around noon and left the Bornhagen polling station promptly without speaking to journalists on-site. Höcke switched his constituency from Eichsfeld, where he had consistently lost to the CDU candidate, to Greiz. However, he is also expected to face defeat in this new constituency.
13:50 Similar Turnout in Thuringia to 2019's Midday FiguresAs of noon in Thuringia, voter turnout mirrors that of the 2019 parliamentary election. The election commissioner reports that around 32% of eligible voters have cast their ballots, with vote-by-mail voters not yet accounted for. In 2019, turnout was 31.2% at this time. There has been increased interest in the state election compared to the European and local elections earlier in the year, where turnout was 24.3% at the same time.
13:29 Anticipated High Turnout in SaxonySaxony anticipates high voter turnout. By noon, 25.8% of eligible voters have cast their ballots, according to the Statistical State Office in Kamenz. The figure for the 2019 state election was 26.2% at this time. Vote-by-mail voters have yet to be factored into the preliminary numbers, but it is expected that 24.6% of eligible voters will vote by mail, compared to 16.9% in 2019. The elections are running smoothly without any disruptions, as reported by the state election commission.
13:11 Lucke Predicts Potential Impact of Election ResultsPolitical scientist Albrecht von Lucke suggests that the SPD not making it into the state parliament would be almost an earthquake. In an interview with ntv, he analyzes the election and its potential consequences.
12:44 Police Investigating Threat at Thuringia Polling StationA report of a threat has been made to the police following an incident at a polling station in Gera. According to a police spokesperson, a man wearing an AfD T-shirt entered the polling station in the morning, with the polling station manager asking him to remove his shirt due to banned party advertising within the polling station. Although the man complied, he threatened to "return" as he was dissatisfied with how he was treated upon leaving the polling station grounds. The police then filed a report and admonished the man. Additionally, police in Erfurt are investigating some political graffiti ("Höcke is a Nazi") near polling stations as criminal damage.
12:15 Correctiv Warns of Recirculated False NewsResearch network Correctiv warns against the spread of a false news story that claims signing the voting slip protects against vote fraud. The Federal Returning Officer's office confirms that signing the voting slip is not necessary and could potentially undermine vote secrecy, rendering the entire voting slip invalid.
11:51 Voigt Wishes for Stable Majority Relations in ThuringiaThuringia's CDU top candidate, Mario Voigt, has also cast his vote. Voigt expresses hope that many people will exercise their right to vote and determine the future of the land, and he also hopes for stable majority relations to enable the land to move forward again.
11:25 Sonneberg Suffers from Increased Far-Right AttacksThe district of Sonneberg has experienced an increase in far-right attacks since becoming the first district in Germany to elect an AfD politician as its leader. Activists have reported being massively threatened and having to stop their work as a result. The number of far-right attacks has allegedly increased fivefold in just one year. Experts suspect a connection to the AfD district administrator.
10:30 Ramelow: Wagenknecht "Not an Option"For Thuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow, election day is a "celebration of democracy" - even if he might not be re-elected. In a ntv interview, the Left Party politician explains why he doesn't endorse a minority government and why he doubts the capability of the BSW.
09:59 "Historical Misstep" - Historian Criticizes Election DateHistorian Peter Oliver Loew criticizes the election date for the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia on the 85th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland in 1939. "Anyone who thought it was a smart move to schedule elections on September 1st showed poor judgment for history," the director of the German Polish Institute told the editorial network Germany (RND). Regarding the AfD, classified as "secure right-wing extremist" by the domestic intelligence services in both states, Loew stated, "This can lead to very negative connotations if, in Dresden and Erfurt, a party also wins whose ties to the Nazi era are anything but clear."
09:30 "Crucial Vote": All Data on Saxony's State ElectionOver 3.3 million eligible voters in Saxony have the opportunity today to choose who will steer the political course in the Dresden state parliament in the future. The CDU could lose its position as the strongest force in the state for the first time since 1990. Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer refers to this as a "crucial vote". "Everything is at stake."
09:05 Kretschmer Accuses Traffic Light Coalition of "Last-Minute Panic Before the Vote"Election day has arrived in Saxony, with the question: Will Minister President Michael Kretschmer continue the CDU's winning streak in the state? In an ntv interview, he discusses his stance on the refugee debate, the traffic light government, and the Ukraine war.
08:46 How the AfD Could Jeopardize DemocracySurveys suggest: The AfD is likely to greatly increase its influence in the upcoming elections in Saxony and Thuringia. For democratic institutions, this is concerning, as a research group has pointed out. Because the rule of law is not as robust as many believe.
08:24 How the AfD Could Derail DemocracyPolls indicate: The AfD is likely to make significant strides in the upcoming elections in Saxony and Thuringia. For democratic institutions, this spells trouble, as a research group has highlighted. Because the rule of law is not as robust as many believe.
08:00 Polling Stations Open in Thuringia and SaxonyToday, new state parliaments are being elected in Thuringia and Saxony. In the polls, the AfD is leading in Thuringia. In Saxony, the CDU of Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer and the AfD are neck and neck. The first projections are expected with the closing of the polling stations at 6 p.m. The elections in the two eastern German states are also a litmus test for the traffic light coalition in Berlin.
For the current Thuringia government, the red-red-green coalition led by Minister President Bodo Ramelow (Left), there is no majority in the polls. A government consisting of the CDU, the alliance of Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) and the SPD is a possibility after the election. In Saxony, it remains uncertain whether the current coalition of CDU, SPD and Greens still has a majority. Kretschmer doesn't dismiss the possibility of an alliance with the BSW. The Left party is at risk of being kicked out of parliament in Saxony. The same fate could befall the Greens and FDP in Thuringia.
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