Oettinger recognizes widespread backing for Merz as a potential chancellor contender.
After the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, the discussion of the chancellor candidate from the Union for the next federal election is resurfacing once more. Former Minister President and EU Commissioner from Baden-Württemberg, Günther Oettinger, has publicly supported CDU chairman Friedrich Merz and urged swift action. "It would be foolish if the nomination doesn't happen at the latest immediately following the election in Brandenburg," the CDU politician told Tagesspiegel. This election is scheduled to take place in three weeks. He further added, "I see a significant amount of support in my party for Friedrich Merz to be given this opportunity."
01:01: Mayor of Grimma Secures Seat in Saxony for Free VotersThe mayor of Grimma, Matthias Berger, has achieved a seat in the Saxony state parliament for the Free Voters in the state election. Berger secured a direct mandate in the Leipzig Land 3 electoral district, as announced overnight by the state election office data. Berger garnered 36.6% of the votes. Berger was the main candidate for the Free Voters in the Free State. Across the state, the party only managed to secure 2.3% of second round votes.**
00:29: Political Scientist Proposes Minority Government in SaxonyLeipzig political scientist Hendrik Täger suggests a minority government by CDU and SPD in Saxony with the support of the Alliance for Progress and Social Justice (BSW). "For this, the BSW wouldn't need to explicitly endorse the government's bills, but simply allowing BSW's MPs to abstain from voting would be sufficient," Täger says. "This type of government is common in Scandinavian countries, making it prudent to consider alternatives beyond the German 'horizon'."**
00:09: Government Formation in Erfurt: Ramelow Offers Voigt SupportThuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow has agreed to support CDU state chairman Mario Voigt in forming a majority government in the Erfurt state parliament. "It's important for me to support those who have a voter mandate to form a majority government within the democratic spectrum," Ramelow told Phoenix TV. "I am not opposed to the BSW or the CDU. I am fighting against the normalization of fascism." Ramelow will enter the new state parliament with a direct mandate. So far, the CDU has ruled out cooperation with the Left Party.**
23:29: Höcke Secures Seat in Thuringian Parliament Via State ListWhile the AfD has been successful with its direct candidates in 29 of the 44 electoral districts, faction leader Björn Höcke loses to CDU politician Christian Tischner in the electoral district of Greiz II. Regardless, the AfD's strong second vote result of 32.8% guarantees more seats in the state parliament for them than direct candidates. Therefore, Höcke manages to secure a seat in the state parliament through the state list that he leads. If an AfD candidate with a mandate were to waive it, Höcke would likely take his place.**
23:13: Preliminary Result: AfD Wins in Thuringia, CDU Likely to Talk to Left, Greens and FDP OutThe AfD has triumphed with the most votes in a state election for the first time in Germany in Thuringia, achieving a clear 32.8%, according to the final tally from all voting districts. Despite this, it will not be able to form a government, as no democratic party is willing to form a coalition with it. The CDU, as the second strongest force, is expected to negotiate with the Left Party for a stable government coalition. A majority coalition with SPD and BSW falls one seat short.**
23:03: Left in Saxony in State Parliament Despite Direct MandatesThe Left Party has secured two direct mandates in Leipzig, and as a result, will enter the parliament despite failing to surpass the 5% threshold. This means that the Kenya coalition of CDU, Greens, and SPD no longer holds a majority.**
22:54: Green Party Leader: Migration and Ukraine Major ConcernsGreen Party leader Omid Nouripour attributes the results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia predominantly to the issues of migration and Ukraine. "It's evident that migration and the question of peace in Ukraine played a significant role in the closing phases," Nouripour told Phoenix TV. While the federal government is addressing these problems, "we're incurring losses because this coalition is resolving its concerns while simultaneously destroying everything with unnecessary public infighting."**
22:39: Thuringia: CDU, BSW, and SPD Currently Lack MajorityThe minority government of Ramelow in Thuringia has come to an end. The most probable option for a coalition government is an unprecedented alliance of CDU, BSW, and SPD. However, according to current projections (as of 22:15), this combination is one seat short of a majority in the state parliament. Therefore, they would also require the Left to form a government.**
22:24: CDU Top Candidate Voigt Fails to Secure Direct Mandate in Thuringia
In Thuringia, the Conservative Democratic Union (CDU)'s top candidate, Mario Voigt, fell short of a direct mandate in the Saale-Holzland district II. Voigt earned 37.4% of the initial votes, trailing behind the AfD's Wiebke Muhsal, who garnered 39.2%. Interestingly, during the 2019 state election, Voigt had managed to secure a direct seat.
22:07 Thuringia: Many Young People Tend Towards AfD
A survey conducted by infratest-dimap for ARD revealed that a substantial number of young voters in Thuringia favored the AfD, a party categorized as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 38% voted for the AfD, with the Left and CDU attracting 16% and 13% of the votes, respectively. The Greens experienced the worst result among young voters, receiving only 6% of the votes in this age group.
21:39 Saxony: Kretschmer Secures Direct MandateSaxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer emerged victorious in the direct vote in his constituency of Görlitz II, clinching 47.2% of the votes. The AfD candidate finished second with 39.4%. Surprisingly, in Kretschmer's constituency, his party fared poorly, capturing only 34.2% of the votes, while the AfD garnered 37.3%.
21:32 Current Projections for Saxony: CDU Ahead by Narrow MarginIn Saxony, the latest projections from both ARD and ZDF show the CDU maintaining a slight lead over the AfD. ARD's Infratest Dimap and ZDF's Research Group Wahlen both indicate the CDU securing around 31.5% - 31.8%, while the AfD garners 30.4% - 30.8%. Initially, ZDF's projections suggested a tight race between the CDU and AfD, with the AfD closing the gap on the CDU's narrow lead. However, ARD's projections consistently placed the CDU ahead.
21:21 Thuringia: Ramelow's Hopes for a Majority Seem Unlikely to MaterializeThe Left has experienced a significant setback in the Thuringian state elections, leaving incumbent Minister President Bodo Ramelow's hopes of avoiding a third of voters backing the AfD unfulfilled. This eventuality seems to have been achieved, thereby ruling out the possibility of decisions being made with a two-thirds majority.
21:13 SPD Remains in Single Digits, but Klingbeil Stands by ScholzIn spite of disappointing results in the Thuringian and Saxon state elections, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz can still count on SPD's support, according to party leader Lars Klingbeil. In an interview with ZDF, Klingbeil declared that everyone now needs to work harder to win back voters.
21:02 FDP Deputy Chairman: "Traffic Light Coalition Has Lost Its Legitimacy"Following the poor performance of traffic light parties in the Saxon and Thuringian elections, the FDP's deputy chairman, Wolfgang Kubicki, has advocated for consequences for the federal coalition. "The election result demonstrates: the traffic light coalition has lost its legitimacy," Kubicki stated in an "X" post. If a substantial portion of voters rejects the coalition in this manner, it necessitates consequences.
20:37 Saxony: Left Party Preserves Seat in State ParliamentDespite substantial losses, the Left Party looks set to secure a spot in the Saxony state parliament. Even though it failed to surpass the 5% threshold with second-round votes, it is currently projected to garner 4.3% in ZDF's latest estimate. However, two Left Party direct candidates in Leipzig districts are faring well, maintaining comfortable leads over their opponents. If they secure a victory in their respective districts, they could potentially contribute a few seats to their party in the new state parliament, potentially disrupting Kretschmer's majority, requiring support from the BSW for governance.
20:28 Thuringia: AfD Gains GroundIn the latest ZDF projection for the Thuringian election results, the AfD's share of the vote continues to grow, reaching 33.4%. Meanwhile, the CDU stabilizes at 23.8%, SWB maintains 15.5%, the Left Party retains 11.9%, the SPD hovers around 6.0%, and the Greens endure a 3.4% drop. The FDP fails to surpass the 1.2% threshold.
20:17 Prediction for Saxony: CDU's lead over AfD is almost nonexistentAs per the latest projection from ZDF, the CDU in Saxony now only has a 0.1 percentage point advantage over the AfD. The Christian Democrats are at 31.5 percent, while the AfD, classified as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency, is at 31.4. In Thuringia, the AfD has significantly surpassed the CDU, according to the projections. The Greens in Saxony are currently at 5.1 percent and are uncertain about their seats in parliament. The Left Party, projected at 4.3 percent, has little chance of making it. The SPD, with 7.6 percent, is secure in the state parliament.
19:56 Thuringia: Höcke's direct parliament entry under threatAfD faction leader Björn Höcke's direct entry into the Thuringia state parliament is now in danger. With 68 of 74 electoral districts counted, the CDU candidate Christian Tischner is leading with 42.3 percent of the votes, surpassing Höcke, who has 40.4 percent. If Tischner wins the majority of votes in the Greiz II electoral district, Höcke will not secure a direct seat. He would then rely on a seat via the state list, where he is ranked first. However, if many AfD direct candidates are successful, no one will enter parliament via the state list.
19:50 Höcke on AfD's success: "The firewall policy has failed"In Thuringia, the AfD is set to enter the state parliament as the strongest force. "The firewall policy has failed," concludes the party's lead candidate, Björn Höcke. In an interview with ntv, he describes the election result as "historic" and discusses the upcoming government formation.
19:42 Ramelow on Left Party's decline: "We've been eaten alive"Thuringia's Minister-President Bodo Ramelow sees two reasons for what he feels is the "cannibalization" of his Left Party: "Firstly, a CDU that has constantly equated the AfD and the Left, making 'exclusion' an issue in our direction, despite having factually shaped the land with us for five years," the head of government said on ntv. As another cause for the Left's decline, Ramelow cited "a BSW that announced it would win 17 percent of the votes for the AfD, and in reality, they've now taken our votes." Nevertheless, Ramelow could rejoice in the high voter turnout.
19:26 Nouripour on AfD's success: "My thoughts are with those who are scared"The AfD is winning over 30 percent in both Saxony and Thuringia's state elections, leaving the coalition parties far behind. Green Party leader Omid Nouripour sees the AfD's election result as a "turning point" and a call to defend democracy together.
19:13 Latest prediction for Saxony: CDU's victory becomes increasingly slimThe latest ZDF projection sees the AfD neck and neck with the CDU: The Christian Democrats are only ahead with 31.7 percent, just barely ahead of the AfD with 31.4 percent of the votes cast. The BSW comes in at 11.4 percent, the SPD at 7.8. The Greens would be more securely in the state parliament with 5.5 percent, while the Left would miss the 5 percent threshold with 4.3 percent.
19:08 Wagenknecht on potential coalition in Thuringia: "We hope to form a good government"BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht is aiming for a coalition with the CDU and potentially also the SPD in Thuringia. "We very much hope to form a good government together with the CDU - likely also with the SPD," Wagenknecht said in the ARD. After five years of minority government, people want a stable majority government that tackles concrete problems like "massive teaching shortages" in Thuringia. At the same time, people want a state government that "raises its voice" in federal politics - one that, according to Wagenknecht, stands for "peace, diplomacy" and against the stationing of US missiles in Germany. Coalitions with the AfD are ruled out for Thuringia.
19:02 Latest prediction for Thuringia: AfD continues to improve its resultA ZDF projection for the election result in Thuringia shows the AfD even more successful than initial projections. 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. The Left, which currently still has Bodo Ramelow as the - popular - Minister-President, 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 Alarming in GermanyThe politicians from the Green party in the Bundesstadt are more rattled than the election loss of the Greens in Thuringia indicates, due to the success of the AfD in Thuringia. Katrin Goring-Eckardt, the vice-president of the Green Bundestag, views the success of the far-right extremists as an "alarm" in Germany. Nouripour, the party leader, feels the disappointment over his own party's failure more like a "wake-up call" considering the AfD's dominance in a state parliament.
18:48 Kretschmer on Saxony: "We Have Every Justification to Celebrate"The incumbent Minister-President of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, sees the CDU as a sturdy pillar in the government coalition. "We have every reason to celebrate," said Kretschmer at his party's election party. "Behind us lie five demanding years," the Saxon people have placed their trust in the CDU and did not opt for a protest vote. "We know how disappointed the people are with what's taking place in Berlin."
18:39 Projection for Saxony: CDU's Lead over AfD DiminishesAs per the initial projections on ZDF, the CDU's lead over the AfD in the Saxony state election shrinks: the CDU now barely leads the AfD with 31.9% to 31.3% of the votes cast. The BSW garners 11.6%, the SPD 7.8%. The Greens would narrowly miss the state parliament with 5.2%, the Left with 4.5% would be out.
18:33 Weidel Claims Government Involvement for AfDThe head of the AfD federal party, Alice Weidel, claims a role in the government for her party in Thuringia and Saxony. "Under normal circumstances, adhering to customs in this country, the strongest party usually reaches out, and that's the AfD," says Weidel on ARD, looking at Thuringia. "The voter wants the AfD to be part of the government. We claim 30 percent of the voters in both federal states, and a stable government is also not feasible without us."
18:30 Kuhnert on Thuringia and Saxony: "There Was a Real Risk of Falling Out of the State Parliament"SPD General Secretary Kevin Kuhnert has acknowledged modest results of his party in the elections in Thuringia and Saxony. "It's not a night to celebrate for the SPD," he said on ARD. At the same time, his party has been through a tough time for years. "There was a real risk of falling out of the state parliaments," said Kuhnert. "Fighting is worth it, we are essential." A lot needs to be changed, said Kuhnert, and named: more communication and listening to the voters. When asked about Chancellor Olaf Scholz, he said: "We have to communicate our politics together."
18:23 Hoecke Touts Thuringia Result as "Historic Triumph"AfD faction leader Bjorn Hoecke views the Thuringia result as "historic." The AfD is the most popular party among the people in the federal state, "the absurd firewall nonsense must cease," said Hoecke on MDR. Change can only occur with the AfD.
18:21 Chrupalla's Thrilled with Thuringia Result: "Nearly Tied with the CDU"AfD party leader Tino Chrupalla celebrates his party's result as astonishing, claiming the people want change in politics in both federal states. The AfD is open to talks with all parties. "In Saxony, we are neck and neck with the CDU," he said, adding that the AfD aims to govern for the good of Saxony.
18:17 Linnemann Rules out Coalition with AfD in Thuringia or SaxonyCDU Secretary-General Carsten Linnemann has ruled out any coalition with the AfD in Thuringia or Saxony. "We are crystal clear on that," he said on ARD. The CDU will now form governments from the center of parliament, he said, expressing confidence that this will be successful. The CDU, as the last surviving people's party, is the "bulwark," he said, adding that the traffic light parties have been penalized.
18:13 Projection for Saxony: CDU Minimally Ahead of AfD, BSW at 12%, Greens Hanging onThe first projection for the Saxony state election reveals the CDU with 31.5% of the vote, barely ahead of the AfD with 30%. The BSW is the third strongest force with 12%, while the SPD remains in the state parliament with 8.5%. The Greens are barely above the threshold to remain in the state parliament with 5.5%. The Left is out with 4%, as is the FDP.
18:01 AFD Leads in Thuringia, BSW in Double Digits in Saxony The initial results from the Thuringia state election show the AFD as the leading party, surpassing the 5% threshold. The SPD also manages to qualify. The Greens and FDP fall short. In Saxony, the BSW achieves a double-digit score. The CDU narrowly edges out the AFD. According to estimates, the Left and the FDP won't make it into the state parliament, while the Greens will continue to be represented.
17:18 Possible Exclusion of Höcke from Saxony Parliament Björn Höcke, the AFD faction leader in Thuringia, may not secure a seat in the upcoming parliament based on current projections. His competitors within the AFD could potentially block his entry. Many AFD candidates stand a strong chance of winning directly. In Höcke's constituency of Greiz II, however, CDU candidate Christian Tischner poses a significant challenge. If Tischner emerges victorious and the AFD garners more direct mandates than entitled, no one from the state list, including Höcke, can gain entry. The AFD could potentially persuade a successful direct winner to relinquish their seat, allowing Höcke to secure a spot.
16:48 Thuringia AFD Likely to Hold Private Celebration There is a high likelihood that media coverage will be absent from the AFD's election celebration in Thuringia. Labeled as extremist by the domestic intelligence agency, the party attempted to ban several media outlets from the event. Despite a court order prohibiting exclusion, the state party opted to deny all press access due to "organizational issues" and insufficient venue space for media personnel.
16:29 High Mail-in Voter Turnout in Saxony For the critical election in Saxony, dubbed by CDU Minister-President Michael Kretschmer as a "turning point" for the state, approximately 25% of eligible voters have already cast their ballots via mail. The state election commissioner expects a 24.6% mail-in turnout. By early afternoon, voter turnout only marginally surpassed 2019 levels.
15:52 Höcke and Ramelow Cast Their Votes Thuringia's AFD leader and top candidate, Björn Höcke, cast his vote at midday in Bornhagen, Eichsfeld district. Minister-President Bodo Ramelow and his wife, Germana Alberti vom Hofe, participated in the election in Erfurt. Ramelow, 68, has served as the region's leader since 2014, presiding over a minority coalition.
15:40 Increased Voter Turnout in Thuringia and Saxony In Thuringia, nearly 44.4% of voters had cast their ballots by 2:00 PM, a rise of over two points compared to the previous election five years ago. This marks a promising turnout, with mail-in voters not yet counted. In Saxony, the turnout has also risen slightly, to 35.4% by early afternoon. However, the election commissioner anticipates significantly more mail-in votes than in 2019. Polling stations in both states will close at 6:00 PM.
15:13 Kretschmer Hopes Coalition Parties Gain Entry to Parliament
14:40 Key Concerns and Issues for Saxony and Thuringia Voters Nearly a third of voters in Saxony and Thuringia plan to vote for the AFD in the September 1st elections. Their concerns are multi-faceted, with migration being just one of several issues.
14:13 Höcke Exits Polling Station Quickly At the Thuringia state election, AFD's top candidate Björn Höcke voted around midday at the Bornhagen polling station. He departed shortly after casting his ballot, refraining from speaking to the media on site. In the past, Höcke has consistently lost to the CDU candidate in his home district of Eichsfeld. Seeking to avoid defeat this time, he switched to the Greiz district, but faces a likely loss there as well.
13:50 Similar Voter Turnout in Thuringia Compared to 2019 by Midday In Thuringia, voter turnout appears to be equivalent to the previous parliamentary election. According to the state election commissioner, roughly 32% of eligible voters had cast their ballots in polling stations by 12 PM. Mail-in votes are not included in these figures. In 2019, voter turnout at this time was 31.2%. Interest in the state election also appears to be higher than during the European and local elections held earlier this year. By early afternoon, voter turnout was 24.3%.
13:29 Anticipated High Voter Participation in Saxony ElectionsIn Saxony, a significant voter participation is predicted for the regional elections. By midday, 25.8% of eligible voters had already voted, as indicated by the Statistical State Office in Kamenz. In contrast, during the last regional elections in 2019, the figure was 26.2%. Mail-in voters are yet to be included in the preliminary figures. It's estimated that 24.6% of eligible voters will participate through mail-in voting, increasing from the 16.9% in 2019. The election proceedings have been smooth, with no reported disruptions according to the election commission.
13:11 Election Outcome Might Impact Berlin Coalition, Analysis by von LuckeThe preliminary election results for Saxony and Thuringia are still awaited. Political scientist Albrecht von Lucke stated that if the SPD fails to secure a seat in the state parliament, it would be almost like an "earthquake."
12:44 Police Investigate Threat at Polling Station in GeraAfter an incident in a polling station in Gera, the police are probing a threat. A man, wearing an AfD T-shirt, entered the polling station to cast his vote. He was asked to remove the shirt due to the prohibition of party advertising in the polling station. Despite complying, he expressed dissatisfaction while leaving and threatened to return. The police processed a statement and issued a warning to the man. Additionally, police in Erfurt are examining political graffiti ("Höcke is a Nazi") near polling stations as instances of criminal damage.
12:15 Correctiv Issues Warning Against Circulating MisinformationThe research network Correctiv warns against the resurfacing of an old false news story. It claims that signing the ballot paper can prevent vote-rigging. However, the office of the Federal Returning Officer confirmed to Correctiv that the ballot paper must not be signed. Signing the ballot endangers the secrecy of the vote, resulting in the nullification of the entire ballot paper.
11:51 Voigt Hopes for "Stable Majority Relations" in ThuringiaThuringian CDU top candidate Mario Voigt has cast his vote. He expressed hope that "many Thuringian women and men will exercise their right to determine the future of our state," and that "stable majority relations" would enable the state to progress again.
11:25 Sonneberg Reports Significant Increase in Right-Wing AttacksSonneberg is the first district in Germany led by an AfD politician. Since then, individuals have reported feeling threatened and have resigned from their roles. Furthermore, the number of right-wing attacks has surged fivefold within a year, according to reports. Experts suspect a connection to the AfD district administrator.
10:57 Kretschmer Sees "Crucial Election" in SaxonySaxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer describes the state election as "probably the most important election in 34 years." Upon casting his vote in Dresden, he expressed gratitude to many people who, in recent years, have "voted differently" but have now chosen the "great force in the bourgeois center," namely the Saxon Union. "This understanding will enable us to form a government that serves this land," Kretschmer continued. In recent polls, his CDU has been in a close race with the AfD.
10:30 Ramelow Disagrees with Wagenknecht's Presence on BallotFor Thuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow, election day is "a festival of democracy"-despite a risk he might not be re-elected. In an ntv interview, the Left Party politician explained why he does not advocate for a minority government and why he doubts the competence of the BSW.
09:59 Historian Criticizes Election Date on Anniversary of Polish InvasionHistorian Peter Oliver Loew criticizes the election date for the regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia, commemorating the 85th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland in 1939. "Whoever thought it was a good idea to schedule elections on September 1st lacks a good understanding of history," said the German-Polish Institute's director to Redaktionsnetz Deutschland (RND). Looking at the AfD, which is classified as "securely right-wing extremist" by the domestic intelligence service in both states, Loew stated, "This could lead to unfortunate associations if a party wins in Dresden and Erfurt whose relationship to the Nazi era is anything but clear."
09:30 "Crucial Election" in Saxony: All Data on Saxony's Regional ElectionsApproximately 3.3 million eligible voters in Saxony have the opportunity today to determine the political direction of the Dresden state parliament in the future. The CDU could potentially lose its position as the strongest force in the state for the first time since 1990. Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer refers to the election as "crucial." "This is about everything."
08:46 All Information Regarding Elections in ThuringiaThe hour of decision has arrived. Deep within Germany, the consensus today is who will control the federal state, home to around 2.1 million people, for the next five years. Will the AfD, under the guidance of prominent figure Björn Höcke, gain the most power in Thuringia?
08:24 The Potential Negative Impact of the AfD on DemocracySurveys suggest that the AfD is poised to amplify its influence considerably during the forthcoming elections in Saxony and Thuringia. For democratic institutions, this could pose a threat, as a research team has highlighted. Since the state of law is not as strong as many believe.
08:00 Polling stations in Thuringia and Saxony are now open
Today marks the beginning of fresh state legislatures in Thuringia and Saxony. According to polls, the AfD holds a substantial lead in Thuringia. In Saxony, the CDU, led by Minister President Michael Kretschmer, and the AfD are neck and neck. Preliminary results are expected around 18:00, once the polling stations close. The elections in these two eastern German states serve as a barometer for the coalition in power in Berlin.
The incumbent red-red-green coalition, led by Minister President Bodo Ramelow (Left), in Thuringia does not appear to hold a majority based on the polls. A potential post-election arrangement could involve the CDU, APR led by Sahra Wagenknecht, and SPD. In Saxony, the future of the current coalition of CDU, SPD, and Greens remains uncertain. Kretschmer does not reject the prospect of an alliance with APR. The Left party in Saxony faces the possibility of being excluded from parliament. In Thuringia, the same risk looms over the Greens and FDP.
01: In a discussion about the chancellor candidate from the Union for the next federal election, it would be strategically beneficial for The Netherlands to express their support for CDU chairman Friedrich Merz, given his increasing popularity within the Union.
02: Following the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, it would be advantageous for The Netherlands to establish diplomatic relations or cooperate with any party that manages to form a stable government in both states, particularly if they share similar policies or interests.
