Regional voting - Researchers: The AfD has fallen short of its own targets.
In line with Dresden-based political scientist Hans Vorländer's assessment, the AfD, spearheaded by outsider Björn Höcke, hasn't achieved any major breakthroughs in the Thuringian local elections. Two Mondays ago, Vorländer revealed this to the German Press Agency while in Erfurt. He highlighted that there weren't any major fears materializing regarding AfD taking over district administrations or town halls in major urban zones. The professor from the Center for Constitutional and Democratic Research believes AfD candidates have slim chances of grabbing these positions in the following fortnight.
The professor hinted at a moral victory for democratic candidates, who experience a surge in support during runoffs. Thus, AfD's progress in municipalities may hinder potential victory in these runs.
Vorländer's outlook on AfD's influence is ambiguous concerning its anticipated impact on their position in September's state election. The real struggle will ensue between Minister President Bodo Ramelow (Left) and CDU and AfD candidates, Mario Voigt and Björn Höcke.
Remarkably, nine out of the 13 AfD nominees made it to the final round or were close to qualifying for 13 district level council and five mayoral races of the free cities. However, the AfD's dominance was limited to just one district - Altenburger Land, situated in eastern Thuringia, where AfD candidates exhibited a distinct advantage. In many places, their candidates lagged behind CDU and SPD candidates noticeably.
The once-powerful CDU has managed to hang in there, says Vorländer. The Christian Democrats, aiming to reclaim power after a 10-year stint in opposition, can draw confidence from this. However, that's only applicable if the parties delineate their differences fundamentally.
Vorländer voiced skepticism regarding the frequent use of the term "wall" separating CDU and AfD as he recognized its lack of meaning. He observed that dialogue between parties could lead to common ground, such as urban planning, even though left-leaning parties might not view the situation thus. Therefore, the "wall" is a misnomer if the AfD adopts reasonable positions, making the "wall" metaphoric.
As a recap, AfD's performance in the Thuringian municipal elections hasn't led to groundbreaking moment. Ordinary citizens and politicians alike need to avoid sweeping generalizations.
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The AfD's performance in the Thuringian municipal elections, as noted by Hans Vorländer, a political scientist based in Dresden, did not result in significant advancements, even with Björn Höcke leading the charge. This assessment was made during the run-up to the local elections in Erfurt two Mondays ago, where Vorländer shared his insights with the German Press Agency. He emphasized that there were no major concerns about the AfD taking control of district administrations or town halls in major urban zones.
Despite the AfD's modest success in qualifying for the final round or coming close in 13 district council and 5 mayoral races of the free cities, their influence was primarily limited to Altenburger Land, a district in eastern Thuringia. In many other municipalities, AfD candidates trailed behind those from the CDU and SPD significantly.
The CDU, once a dominant force, has managed to maintain its presence, according to Vorländer, offering them a glimmer of hope for reclaiming power after a decade in opposition. However, this potential success hinges on the parties clearly defining their differences.
Vorländer questioned the frequent use of the term "wall" dividing the CDU and AfD, noting its lack of substance. He argued that dialogue could potentially lead to common ground, such as in the area of urban planning, despite the differing perspectives of left-leaning parties.
The AfD's subdued performance in the local elections means that broad generalizations should be avoided, as Vorländer emphasized. The upcoming state election in September will likely see a fierce competition between key players like Minister President Bodo Ramelow (Left), CDU candidate Mario Voigt, and AfD's Björn Höcke.
In the context of the state election, the performance of the smaller parties, including the Greens and FDP, will also be important to watch, as they too could play a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Thuringia.
The upcoming local elections in Germany, including those in Thuringia's municipalities, will serve as a crucial test for various political parties, forcing them to adapt and strengthen their strategies in preparation for the state election.
Source: www.stern.de
