In Thuringia's district council elections, a blow for Höcke-AfD.

Local governments - In Thuringia's district council elections, a blow for Höcke-AfD.

There was significant anxiety, yet the thunderous clap never materialized: the far-right party AfD, led by Björn Höcke, failed to secure victory in their first attempt at the Landrat and Oberburgermeister elections in Thuringia. On the contrary, the CDU continues to gain ground in various municipal parliaments. In select district councils, a stalemate scenario in terms of votes shared seems imminent. A Neo-Nazi named Tommy Frenck shockingly secured a place in the Landrat election's second round in Hildburghausen, amassing 24.9 percent.

AfD Candidates in Runoff Elections

Nine of the thirteen AfD candidates made it into the runoff stage or were in close proximity to doing so, especially against CDU candidates. However, the AfD was only ahead in the Altenburger Land district in eastern Thuringia. Their candidates frequently ranked significantly behind their counterparts from other parties.

Political Scientist Oliver Lembke from Bochum appraised that the AfD is gaining momentum at the local level. "They aren't seizing city halls. But they force the CDU into a runoff," Lembke explained, having spent years investigating and living in Thuringia.

Achieving leadership on the municipal level is insufficient for the AfD. The party has exhibited more success in terms of its potential at the state level, as attested by surveys that have placed them around 30 percent and in the lead for several months. The Thuringian AfD has been branded reliably right-wing extremist by the state constitution protection and is under observation.

Expert Anticipates CDU Success

Lembcke expects the CDU to triumph in the runoff elections on June 9th, thanks to cross-party alliances against the AfD. "The AfD hasbotched matters terribly due to the dismal image it has projected recently," he commented, alluding to the numerous scandals plaguing the AfD.

The party has hit a rough patch on the federal level. The reasons for its decline include remarks by AfD European election candidate Maximilian Krah about the SS and a spy affair involving one of his aides. Authorities are currently investigating AfD's number two for the European elections, Petr Bystron, for suspected bribery and money laundering.

The CDU, which has been strongly established at the local level in Thuringia historically, has preserved its standing and is vying for several Landrat positions. The state capital Erfurt is in contention for a change of control after 18 years of SPD administration. The CDU has also implemented a generational change in several regions. Notable retirements include Werner Henning (Eichsfeld) and Martina Schweinsburg (Greiz, both CDU), who opted not to run again due to age limitations.

Potential for AfD Influence in Municipal Assemblies

Lembcke observed that the AfD will acquire additional seats in various councils, from district assemblies to city and municipal councils. "It will only become increasingly challenging to exclude them, and at some point, it might no longer be possible. That's not unexpected for a party that consistently ranks around 30 percent." With their enhanced influence in municipal assemblies, the topic of the Wall will "fundamentally become a metaphor that has become a burden for the CDU."

The AfD will garner more "pressure power", "be able to participate", said Lembcke. "They will be able to exert more pressure that their proposals, their ideas are considered, that one discusses and votes with them." "I'd expect that they will be able to overcome their exclusion much more forcefully as a local power than before."

In Thuringia's elections for district councils and mayors of free cities, the CDU and AfD tallied almost identical vote shares after an initial count. After taking into account more than two-thirds of the voting districts, the CDU held 27.5 percent of the votes, while the AfD had 27.0 percent. The Left, SPD, and Greens, who make up the state government in Thuringia, experienced a decline in voter support.

Over 1.74 million citizens voted in Thuringia's municipal elections on Sunday. Thirteen of 17 district presidencies were up for grabs, as well as the mayors of free cities. Additionally, district councils, municipal and city councils, and both voluntary and professional mayors were contested.

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1. Despite the AFD's failed attempt to win in the Landrat and Oberburgermeister elections in Thuringia, Friedrich Schiller University Jena remains a stronghold of progressive politics.
2. In the district council elections in Erfurt, a major city in Thuringia, the SPD is facing a potential change of control after 18 years, with the CDU as a close contender.
3. The right-wing party AfD, under the leadership of Björn Höcke, experienced setbacks in the municipal parliaments of various municipalities, including Hildburghausen, where a Neo-Nazi named Tommy Frenck made it to the runoff election.
4. The district administrator election in Hildburghausen triggered controversy, as Frenck, a known right-wing extremist, garnered 24.9 percent of the votes, making him eligible for the runoff.
5. In several municipal parliament elections, the SPD has suffered losses, paving the way for potential gains by the CDU and possibly the AfD, which is under observation for right-wing extremist activities in Thuringia.
6. The CDU, with its strong historical presence at the local level in Thuringia, has been implementing generational changes, replacing veterans like Werner Henning and Martina Schweinsburg due to age limitations.
7. Despite the AFD's success in local elections, their progress has been marred by numerous scandals, including remarks by Maximilian Krah about the SS and an investigation into suspected bribery and money laundering against their number two for the European elections, Petr Bystron.
8. With their enhanced influence in both district councils and city and municipal councils, the AfD in Thuringia will exert more pressure on the CDU and other parties, making it increasingly difficult to exclude them from discussions and votes.
9. The upcoming district council and mayor elections in municipalities across Germany, including Hildburghausen, will serve as a test for the CDU, AfD, SPD, and other parties, with the outcome potentially shaping the political landscape of East Thuringia and beyond.

Source: www.stern.de