Upcoming Elections in Saxony and Thuringia - "Maintain democracy's integrity" and prompts regarding community voting events
For political analyst Wolfgang Muno from Rostock, the outcomes of the state elections in Thuringia and Saxony aren't merely reflective of temporary sentiments. "I hold significant apprehensions for democracy in Germany," he shared with the German Press Agency. It signifies "a fundamental criticism and rejection of democratic rule of law and liberal, diverse democracy in significant sections of the populace, particularly in eastern Germany."
As per Lars Schwarz, the head of the employers' association in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the election results also stem from the way parties interact with one another. "The ongoing blame game among the established parties serves no one. Least of all our democracy and our international standing," Schwarz stated in Schwerin. The ruling and opposition parties in Berlin, as well as to a significant extent in the states, share mutual accountability for the surge of the far right and left.
AfD and BSW triumphs
In Thuringia, the AfD became the dominant party in a state for the first time in the Sunday's state election. In Saxony, the party, considered extreme-right by the intelligence agencies of both states, came in second behind the CDU. The new alliance of Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), a splinter group from the Left, garnered double-digit results from scratch. Coalition-building is anticipated to be challenging for both federal states.
Muno acknowledges that these are merely state elections in smaller federal states, "the symbolic impact, however, is enormous." For the first time in post-war history, an extreme-right party has become the strongest force in a federal state. "This will also be acknowledged and discussed abroad." Muno referred to AfD and BSW as "populist polarizers." Other parties will find it difficult to contest them with facts and substance.
No straightforward remedies
Political advancements pertaining to the war in Ukraine and migration are challenging. Even achievements, such as managing the energy crisis or the expansion of renewable energies, are disputed or opposed, said Muno. "And: not even political science can provide a reliable guide on how to foster basic trust in the state and democracy, beyond political education."
The next state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are still far off, and thus forecasts are inconsequential. "But it's becoming apparent that it will be incredibly difficult for Manuela Schwesig and the state government," said Muno, looking at the SPD minister president.
Schwarz views the election results as a call to action. "I appeal to all state-supporting parties: Cease making divisive matters the center of political competition. Stop instructing people on what they should or shouldn't do. We finally need a genuine competition for the better solutions for the future of our country - rigorous in substance, but fair in tone," cautioned the president of the association of entrepreneurs.
The economy has been impacted by flawed politics and insufficient communication in the federal and state governments for some time. "We can no longer afford 'business as usual'," Schwarz stressed.
Differing viewpoints on election results
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Minister President and SPD chairwoman Schwesig deemed the election results in Saxony and Thuringia, particularly the high approval for the AfD, as "alarming." The leadership of the Greens in the state expressed similar concerns.
CDU state leader Daniel Peters expressed satisfaction with his party's results, but anticipates the formation of the government in Erfurt and Dresden to be complex. He chose to remain silent on the upcoming talks: "My party colleagues in Saxony and Thuringia don't need my advice," he said.
AfD state leader Leif-Erik Holm described the results in Saxony and Thuringia as a political earthquake. The public's desire for a different kind of politics can no longer be disregarded. They didn't vote for AfD out of protest, but out of conviction.
The Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht, with its double-digit results in Thuringia, poses challenges for coalition-building in both federal states. For political analyst Wolfgang Muno, this development is a symptom of the growing divide within German society, where an extreme-right party has become the strongest force in a federal state for the first time in post-war history.
Lars Schwarz, the head of the employers' association in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, emphasizes the need for a constructive and unifying political discourse, suggesting that divisive issues should not be the focus of political competition. He believes that a genuine competition for better solutions for the future of the country is necessary, with a focus on substance and fairness.
