- Legislative elections registering a 44% voter participation rate by midday.
Election turnout in Thuringia's state vote appears to be resembling 2019 levels. By midday, roughly 44.4% of eligible voters had marked their ballots at polling stations, as per the state election commission's report. Yet, absentee ballots aren't included in these figures. Back in 2019, turnout was marginally lower at 42.2%.
This increase in participation suggests a heightened interest in the state election compared to the earlier European and local votes held this year. Voter turnout was a significantly lower 34.6% at the same stage in those elections.
Polling stations will remain active until 6 PM. By midday, all prominent candidates from major parties had already cast their ballots, with some bringing along family members.
Issues at a Polling Station
No major disturbances were reported at polling stations to the state election commission's office. However, a police intervention took place at a polling station in Gera. A man donning an AfD T-shirt intended to vote in the morning, as conveyed by a police representative. The polling station manager then requested the man to remove the shirt, as campaigning from prohibited parties was forbidden within the polling station.
The man obliged but made a threat upon leaving the polling station premises. Police filed an official complaint and cautioned the individual. Police in Erfurt are also examining some political graffiti ("Hoecke is a Nazi") near polling stations overnight on Saturday, suspected of being a case of vandalism, the spokesperson revealed.
A Divided Society, Anticipated Challenges in Coalition Formation
The clear lines drawn during the campaign were evident even a day prior to the election in Erfurt. Approximately 1,300 followers of the Thuringian AfD, identified as unquestionably right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency, cheered on the leading far-right candidate, Bjorn Hoecke. Meanwhile, around 3,000 counter-protesters rallied on the Domplatz, protesting against right-wing extremism while displaying a banner for inclusivity.
Forming a majority in the state parliament post-election could prove to be an immense challenge. The AfD could potentially secure approximately 30% of the vote, placing it as the strongest force in the state parliament. However, none of the major parties express a desire to forge an alliance with the AfD. The latest polls put the CDU slightly ahead of "Sahra Wagenknecht's Standing" (BSW), which is contesting its first Thuringia state election.
Currently, a minority government of red-red-green is governing Thuringia. The Left, with Minister President Bodo Ramelow as the front-runner, has seen a decline in support compared to the previous state election, falling to about 14%. The SPD is predicted to just manage to surpass the 5% threshold. The Greens and FDP are not anticipated to surpass the 5% threshold and would thus miss out on representation in the state parliament. It's essential to remember that polls merely reflect the public sentiment at the time of the survey and do not serve as guarantees of the election outcome.
In the upcoming coalition formation, the AfD, with an estimated 30% of the vote, may pose a challenge due to their controversial stance, as no major party in Thuringia's electoral district is willing to form an alliance with them. Voters in Thuringia are casting their ballots in various electoral districts, each playing a crucial role in determining the political landscape of the state.
