The Authority has been tasked with presenting a plan for a regulation aiming to safeguard laborers from the perils arising from exposure to ionizing radiation.
11:25 Sonneberg Witnesses Surge in Extremist ActionsSonneberg becomes the initial German district to be led by an AfD politician. Subsequently, activists claim to feel intensely endangered, resulting in numerous individuals abandoning their duties. Furthermore, reports suggest a significant rise in extremist attacks in the district, approximately five times more within a year. Experts connect this escalation to the AfD district administrator.
10:57 Kretschmer Addresses Voters at the Ballot BoxSaxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer labels the state's parliamentary election as "potentially the most significant election in 34 years." After casting his vote in Dresden, he expresses gratitude to individuals who have 'chosen differently' in past elections but have now selected the 'powerful element in the democratic center,' namely the Saxon Union. "Such harmony will facilitate a government formation that serves this state," Kretschmer concludes. Recent polls suggest a close race between his CDU and the AfD.
10:30 Ramelow: Wagenknecht Excluded from BallotFor Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow, Election Day is "a celebration of democracy" - despite the risk he may not secure re-election. In an interview with ntv, the Left Party politician justifies his opposition to a minority government and questions the credibility of the BSW.
09:59 "Lacks Historical Sensitivity" - Historian Concerned about Election DateHistorian Peter Oliver Loew criticizes the election date for the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia on the 85th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland in 1939. "Individuals who thought it was a wise idea to hold elections on September 1st show a lack of historical sensitivity," says the director of the German Polish Institute to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). Regarding the AfD, a party classified as "securely right-wing extremist" by the domestic intelligence service in both states, Loew added: "This can lead to highly unfortunate connotations if a party with unclear ties to the Nazi era also triumphs in Dresden and Erfurt."
09:30 "Critical Election": All Information on Saxony's State ElectionApproximately 3.3 million eligible voters in Saxony can shape the political future of the Dresden state parliament today. The CDU may lose its position as the dominant force in the state for the first time since 1990. Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer describes it as a "critical election." "This is about everything."
09:05 Kretschmer Accuses 'Traffic Light Coalition' of Pre-Election PanicIt's Election Day in Saxony, and the question is: Will Minister President Michael Kretschmer maintain the CDU's winning streak in the state? In an interview with ntv, he discusses his stance on the refugee debate, the 'Traffic Light Coalition,' and the Ukraine war.
08:24 Could the AfD threaten democracy?
Polls suggest that the AfD is likely to exert substantial influence in the upcoming elections in Saxony and Thuringia. This poses a significant threat to democratic institutions, as research indicates. The rule of law may not be as robust as many believe.
08:00 Polling stations open in Thuringia and Saxony
Today, new state parliaments are to be elected in Thuringia and Saxony. In the polls, the AfD holds a clear lead in Thuringia. In Saxony, the CDU led by incumbent Minister President Michael Kretschmer and the AfD are neck and neck. Initial forecasts are expected with the closure of polling stations at 6 pm. The elections in these two eastern German states serve as a temperature check for the 'Traffic Light Coalition' in Berlin.
For the current Thuringia government, the red-red-green coalition led by Minister President Bodo Ramelow (Left), there is no majority in the polls. A potential coalition following the election could consist of the CDU, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), and the SPD. In Saxony, it remains unclear whether the current coalition of CDU, SPD, and Greens will continue to hold a majority. Kretschmer refuses to rule out an alliance with the BSW. The Left party faces the risk of being removed from parliament in Saxony. The same fate hangs over the Greens and FDP in Thuringia.
In the context of the potential shift in power in Saxony, Mikael Kretschmer, the CDU's leader, welcomes voters who have previously chosen different parties but now see value in the democratic center, implying a possible alignment with the FDP. Consequently, if the CDU and FDP form a coalition, the District of Sonneberg, currently led by an AfD politician, could potentially witness a change in leadership, alleviating the fears of endangered activists and reducing the frequency of extremist attacks.
![Kretschmer and his spouse, Annett Hofmann, attending the Dresden polling station Kretschmer and spouse Annett Hofmann casting their ballots in Dresden](https://cdn.aussiedlerbote.de/content/images/2024/09/01/472082/jpeg/4-3/1200/75/kretschmer-and-his-wife-annett-hofmann-at-the-dresden-ballot.webp)