The Authority has been tasked with presenting a proposal for a mandate aimed at safeguarding workers from the hazards stemming from radiation exposure of an ionizing nature.
04:44 Experts Anticipate Controversy over 'Barrier' within CDUGiven the complex political scenario in Thuringia, the CDU must ponder over aligning with the Left party, according to political expert Oliver Lembcke from Ruhr University Bochum. However, this move would inevitably bring back the discussion about 'barrier' towards the right, towards the AfD, he pointed out. "If you begin questioning one barrier, you'll have to debate the other as well."
03:31 Saxony: Kretschmer and Urban Acquire Direct SeatsSaxony's AfD top candidate Jörg Urban clinched a direct seat in the state election. Urban took the lead in the Bautzen 5 constituency with 42.4% of first votes, surpassing the CDU candidate Marko Schiemann who managed 38.1%. Overall, the CDU emerged narrowly victorious in the Saxony state election over the AfD. Minister President Michael Kretschmer also retained his direct seat in the Görlitz 2 constituency with 47.2% of the votes.
02:18 Esken Regrets Solingen Statement, Wants to Learn from Islamist AttacksSPD chairwoman Saskia Esken retracted her comment on talk shows that not much can be learned from the Islamist-motivated terrorist attack in Solingen. She admitted, "That was definitely not a smart or correct statement." She further stated, "We must learn from this attack and other preceding ones, including potential future attacks, that we need to take Islamism and the threat of Islamist terrorism more seriously than we have so far." In this context, Esken referred to the federal government's package of measures.
01:34 Oettinger Supports Merz as Chancellor CandidatePost-election conversations in Saxony and Thuringia have sparked debate regarding the Union's chancellor candidate for the upcoming federal election. Former Baden-Württemberg Minister President and EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger advocates for CDU chairman Friedrich Merz and encourages swift action. "Failing to nominate him immediately following the Brandenburg election would be a mistake," said Oettinger to Tagesspiegel. "I see widespread support within my party for Merz to be given the opportunity to lead." Similar sentiments were expressed by Union parliamentary business manager Thorsten Frei and former federal interior minister Horst Seehofer.
01:01 Berger Wins Direct Seat for Free Voters in SaxonyThe Mayor of Grimma, Matthias Berger, successfully secured a spot in the Saxony state parliament for the Free Voters party. Berger delivered an impressive 36.6% of the votes in the Leipzig Land 3 electoral district, according to data from the state election committee. Berger was the Free Voters' flagbearer in Saxony, despite the party only garnering 2.3% of the second votes nationwide.
00:29 Minority Government Possibility in Saxony, according to TrägerLeipzig political scientist Hendrik Träger proposes a CDU and SPD minority government in Saxony, with the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance's support. "For this, the BSW need not approve the government's bills explicitly; rather, it would suffice if their MPs abstained in votes. This would enable CDU and SPD to govern with a relative majority," Träger said. "Such governments are common in Scandinavian countries, so it would be wise to consider options beyond Germany's horizon."
00:09 Ramelow Offers Support to Voigt for Stable Erfurt GovernmentThuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow has agreed to assist CDU state leader Mario Voigt in forming a majority government in the Erfurt state parliament. "A functional state government is essential, even though I won't be part of it anymore," said the Left politician to Phoenix TV. "I support those who have the mandate from the voters to form a majority government within the democratic spectrum." He is not hostile towards BSW or the CDU. "I oppose the normalization of fascism," said Ramelow, stating his objective is to avoid a "parliamentary blackmail scenario" where the AfD manipulates other parties. Ramelow is set to join the new state parliament with a direct mandate. So far, the CDU has ruled out cooperation with the Left.
23:29 Höcke Secures Seat in Thuringian Parliament via Ranking ListThe AfD achieves victories with its direct candidates in 29 out of 44 electoral districts. However, faction leader Björn Höcke loses to CDU politician Christian Tischner in the Greiz II electoral district. Yet, the strong second vote result of 32.8% for the AfD ensures they will secure more seats in the state parliament than direct candidates. As a result, Höcke clinches a seat in the state parliament via the ranking list, which he leads. Without a successful direct-election candidate willingly giving up their seat, Höcke would have likely claimed the vacancy.
11:13 Preliminary Results: AfD Tops in Thuringia, CDU Might Negotiate with Left, Greens, and FDP SidelinedIn Thuringia, the AfD has managed to secure the most votes in a state election in Germany for the first time. The party, led by front-runner Björn Höcke, saw a significant increase of 32.8% after all polling stations were accounted for. However, the AfD won't be able to realize its ambition of governing due to the unwillingness of democratic parties to form a coalition with it. As the second-strongest force, the CDU is expected to engage in discussions with the Left for a stable government coalition. A majority with SPD and BSW falls short by a single vote.
11:03 Left Party Secures Two Direct Mandates in Saxony's ParliamentThe Left Party has clinched two direct mandates in Leipzig, guaranteeing their presence in the parliament despite initial estimates suggesting they had failed to surpass the 5% threshold. This development means that the existing Kenya coalition of CDU, Greens, and SPD no longer holds a majority.
10:54 Green Party Leader: Migration and Ukraine's Crisis Major FactorsGreen Party leader Omid Nouripour attributes the results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia primarily to the matters of migration and Ukraine's crisis. He stated during an interview with Phoenix TV, "It's evident that migration and the question of peace in Ukraine played a crucial role in the final stages." Despite federal government's attempts to address these issues, "we're suffering due to this coalition's unnecessarily contentious squabbles in public."
10:39 Thuringia: CDU, BSW, and SPD Without a MajorityThe red-red-green minority coalition in Thuringia under Minister President Ramelow has come to an end. With no party willing to form a coalition with the AfD, the most plausible option for a government coalition is an unprecedented union of CDU, BSW, and SPD. However, as per current estimates (at 22:15), this assembly lacks a single seat to attain a majority in the state parliament, necessitating the involvement of the Left Party.
10:24 CDU's Front Runner Voigt Fails to Secure Direct Mandate in ThuringiaCDU's front-runner Mario Voigt was unable to clinch a direct mandate in Thuringia, earning 37.4% of the first votes in Saale-Holzland District II and finishing second behind AfD candidate Wiebke Muhsal, who managed to secure 39.2%. Voigt had previously been elected as a direct candidate in 2019.
10:07 Thuringia: One-third of Young Voters Opt for AfDMore than one-third of young voters in Thuringia chose the AfD, a party that domestic intelligence agency considers right-wing extremist. A survey by infratest dimap for ARD found 38% of 18- to 24-year-olds in Thuringia voted for the AfD. The Left Party earned 16%, the CDU 13%, and the Greens only 6% among young voters.
09:39 Kretschmer Wins Direct Mandate in SaxonySaxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer triumphed in the direct mandate in his constituency of Görlitz II, garnering 47.2% of the votes and maintaining a considerable lead over the AfD candidate who bagged 39.4%. Despite his party's poor performance in his constituency, the AfD emerged as the leading force with 37.3% of the votes.
09:32 Current Projections for Saxony: CDU Now Leads by a Wide MarginAccording to projections from both ARD and ZDF, the CDU now leads the AfD by a considerable margin in Saxony. Infratest Dimap (ARD) and the Forschungsgruppe Wahlen (ZDF) concur that the CDU is leading by about 1 percentage point, amassing 31.5 to 31.8%, while the AfD stands at 30.4 to 30.8%. Initially, the Forschungsgruppe Wahlen reported a tight race between the CDU and the AfD, but the latter continually chipped away at the CDU's slight lead. In the ARD projection, however, the CDU maintained its lead consistently.
09:21 Thuringia: Ramelow's Wish Unlikely to be GrantedThe Left Party has suffered massive losses in Thuringia's state elections, and Minister President Bodo Ramelow is likely to step down. One of Ramelow's dreams for the evening - that the AfD would not garner at least a third of all votes - seems unlikely to materialize. The AfD appears to have achieved this, which could hinder decisions with a two-thirds majority.
09:13 SPD with Single-digit Scores, Yet Klingbeil Stands by ScholzDespite the dismal results in Thuringia and Saxony's state elections, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz can still rely on the backing of his party, the SPD, according to SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil. In an interview with ZDF, Klingbeil stated, "And as the party's federal chairman, I also expect everyone to now exert themselves even more than before." The party needs to collaborate in order to regain the support of voters, Klingbeil expressed, "Everyone must now play their part in improving the situation."
21:02 Kubicki calls out Traffic Light coalition: "Lost its backing from the people"After the Traffic Light parties underperformed in the Saxony and Thuringia elections, FDP deputy chairman Wolfgang Kubicki voiced his concerns about the federal coalition. He wrote on "X", "The election results expose: The Traffic Light coalition has lost its backing from the people." If a considerable portion of voters reject the coalition, it's only fair that there be consequences, he argued. Kubicki expressed concern that the public perceives "this coalition is causing harm to the country." The FDP fell short of clearing the 5% threshold in both state elections and is now projected to be just 1% away.
20:41 Missed direct seat for Höcke in ThuringiaThe AfD's parliamentary group leader, Björn Höcke, missed securing a direct seat in the Thuringia state parliament. According to ntv reports, the AfD will secure Höcke's seat in the state parliament, with an AfD member giving up their spot in his favour.
20:37 Projected entry for Left Party in Saxony despite 4% setbackDespite substantial losses, the Left Party is projected to make it into the Saxony state parliament. While it failed to clear the 5% hurdle in second votes, currently estimated at 4.3% in the ZDF's latest projections, two Left Party direct candidates in Leipzig districts are comfortably leading their competitors. Two direct mandates could give the Left Party a few seats in the new state parliament. These potential winners could also take the top spots on their party's state list, potentially disabling a majority for the current coalition of CDU, SPD, and Greens, requiring Minister President Kretschmer to seek support from the BSW for a governing majority.
20:28 AfD continues to surge in Thuringia election projectionsThe latest ZDF projections for Thuringia's election results show the AfD continuing its vote share growth, reaching 33.4%. The CDU stands at 23.8%, the SWB at 15.5%, the Left Party at 11.9%, the SPD at 6.0%, and the Greens at 3.4%. With the FDP still failing to surpass 1.2%.
20:17 CDU's lead over AfD in Saxony almost nonexistentAccording to the latest ZDF projections, the CDU in Saxony has a mere 0.1 percentage point lead over the AfD. The Christian Democrats stand at 31.5%, while the AfD, classified as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency, is at 31.4%. In Thuringia, the AfD has reportedly outpaced the CDU, according to projections. The Greens in Saxony are currently at 5.1% and face uncertainty about their seats in parliament. The Left Party, projected at 4.3%, has little chance of making it. The SPD, with 7.6%, is assured a spot in the state parliament.
19:56 Höcke's direct entry into Thuringia state parliament endangeredAfD faction leader Björn Höcke's direct entry into the Thuringia state parliament is at risk. With 68 out of 74 electoral districts counted, the CDU candidate Christian Tischner is leading with 42.3% of the votes, ahead of Höcke with 40.4%. If Tischner wins the majority of votes in the Greiz II electoral district, Höcke will not secure a direct mandate and will rely on a seat via the state list. However, if many AfD candidates succeed as direct candidates, no one will enter parliament via the state list.
19:50 Höcke positive about AfD's success: "Barrier stratagems have crumbled"In Thuringia, the AfD is projected to enter the state parliament as the strongest force. "Barrier stratagems have crumbled," concludes the party's top candidate, Björn Höcke. In an interview with ntv, he describes the election result as a "historic achievement" and discusses the upcoming government formation.
19:42 Ramelow admits Left Party's "erosion" due to CDU and BSWThuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow acknowledges two reasons for the Left Party's perceived "erosion". He attributes it to "a CDU that has continually equated the AfD and the Left, making 'exclusion' always directed at us, despite having shared power in the state for five years" and to "a BSW that declared it would take 17% of the votes for the AfD, but in actuality, they've taken votes from us." Nevertheless, Ramelow expressed joy in the high voter turnout.
19:26 Nouripour on AfD's success: "My thoughts go out to those who are afraid"The AfD is projected to win over 30% in both Saxony and Thuringia's state elections, leaving the coalition parties far behind. Green Party leader Omid Nouripour views the AfD's election result as a "watershed" and a call to protect democracy together.
19:13 Recent prediction for Saxony: CDU's triumph draws nearerThe latest forecast from ZDF indicates a narrow advantage for the CDU in Saxony: The Christian Democrats are currently leading with 31.7% of the votes, closely followed by the AfD with 31.4%. The BSW takes 11.4%, while the SPD trails behind with 7.8%. The Greens are set to securely enter the state parliament with 5.5%, but the Left is expected to miss the 5% threshold with 4.3%.
19:08 Wagenknecht aims for CDU and SPD coalition in ThuringiaBSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht has expressed her interest in forming a coalition with the CDU and potentially the SPD in Thuringia. She stated in ARD, "We are hopeful that we can establish a good government with the CDU - probably also with the SPD." With five years of minority government, people are seeking a stable majority government that addresses issues such as the severe teacher shortages in Thuringia. At the same time, people are looking for a state government that voices its concerns in federal politics - a government, according to Wagenknecht, that advocates for "peace, diplomacy," and opposes the stationing of US missiles in Germany. Cooperation with the AfD is out of the question for the Thuringian party leader.
19:02 Revised prediction for Thuringia: AfD continues upward trendA ZDF projection for the election results in Thuringia indicates a stronger showing for the AfD than initially anticipated. According to this, the right-wing extremists are achieving 33.1% of the votes in the state. The CDU stands at 24.3%, Sahra Wagenknecht's alliance at 15%. The Left, currently led by popular Minister President Bodo Ramelow, is expected to lose nearly 8 percentage points and is projected to receive 11.7%. The SPD comes in at 6.6%, and the Greens are predicted to gain 4% of the votes.
18:56 Greens Shaken by AfD's Success in ThuringiaGreen Bundespolitiker are alarmed by the AfD's success in Thuringia, more so than their own defeat in the state elections. Green Bundestag Vice President Katrin Goring-Eckardt views the right-wing extremists' success as a "shockwave" for Germany. Party leader Omid Nouripour laments his party's failure and suggests that it is overshadowed, "when we consider that the AfD has become the strongest force in a state parliament."
18:48 Kretschmer on Saxony: "We Have Reason to Celebrate"Incumbent Saxon Minister President Michael Kretschmer views the CDU as a cornerstone in the coalition. He stated at his party's election celebration, "We have every reason to celebrate." He noted, "Behind us are five challenging years," and acknowledged that the people of Saxony have trusted the CDU, choosing not to issue a protest vote. "We understand that the people are disappointed with the state of affairs in Berlin."
18:39 Initial Result for Saxony: CDU's Lead over AfD ReducesAs per initial projections from ZDF, the CDU's lead over the AfD in the Saxony state election has narrowed: The CDU now has a narrow advantage with 31.9% to 31.3% of the votes cast. The BSW comes in at 11.6%, while the SPD holds 7.8%. The Greens would barely make the cut-off for the state parliament with 5.2%, but the Left would fail to meet the 5% threshold with 4.5%.
18:33 Weidel Demands AfD Representation in Government for Thuringia and SaxonyAfD federal party chief Alice Weidel claims a role in the government for her party in Thuringia and Saxony. "Under normal circumstances, following the practices in this country, the strongest party, which is the AfD, would be engaging in talks," says Weidel on ARD, referring to Thuringia. "The electorate wants the AfD to participate in the government. We attract 30% of the voters in both federal states, and without us, a stable government is not even possible."
18:30 Kuhnert Acknowledges SPD's Modest Results in Thuringia and SaxonySPD Secretary General Kevin Kuhnert acknowledges his party's lackluster results in the Thuringia and Saxony elections. "This is not a night to celebrate for the SPD," he said on ARD. Despite their struggles, the SPD has not given up. "There was a real risk of being ousted from the state parliaments," said Kuhnert. "Fighting is worthwhile, we are needed." A significant change is required, according to Kuhnert, who cites the need for more clarity and listeners to voters, and calls for a collaborative effort with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
18:23 Höcke Celebrates Thuringia Result as "Historic Triumph"AfD parliamentary group leader Björn Höcke views the Thuringia result as "historic." The AfD is now the leading people's party in the federal state, "the fallacious firewall nonsense must be abandoned," stated Höcke on MDR. He believes that change will only come through the AfD.
18:21 Chrupalla on Thuringia: "Even with CDU"AfD party leader Tino Chrupalla is thrilled with his party's performance, stating that the will of the voters has brought about a shift in politics in both federal states. He discussed this with ZDF, adding that in Saxony, they're neck and neck with the CDU. The AfD is open to dialogue with all parties.
18:17 Linnemann of CDU: No Alliance with AfDCDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann has ruled out any alliances with the AfD in Thuringia or Saxony. He stressed this in ARD, stating that they will form governments from the center of parliament and are confident in their success. The CDU is the last standing people's party, acting as a "bulwark," while the "traffic light parties" have suffered punishments.
18:13 Potential Win for CDU in Saxony: 12% for BSW, Greens on the EdgeThe initial projections for the Saxony state election show the CDU narrowly ahead with 31.5% of the vote, closely trailing the AfD with 30%. The BSW is the third strongest force with 12%, and the SPD remains in the state parliament with 8.5%. The Greens are barely holding onto a seat with 5.5%, while the Left is out with 4% and the FDP is absent from the new parliament.
18:10 Predicted Victory for AfD in Thuringia: BSW at 16%The first projections for the Thuringia state election indicate a clear lead for the AfD at 30.5%, followed by the CDU at 24.5% and the Left at 12.5%. The SPD is in the state parliament with 7%, and the BSW is likely to enter with 16%. The Greens and the FDP are below 5%.
18:01 AfD in the Lead in Thuringia, BSW Double-Digits in SaxonyAs per the initial projections post-Thuringia state election, the AfD is the strongest force, as anticipated. The SPD manages to surpass the 5% threshold, but the Greens and FDP do not. In Saxony, the BSW achieves a double-digit result from scratch. The CDU is barely ahead of the AfD. The Left and the FDP would not be represented in the state parliament, according to the projection, but the Greens would remain.
17:18 Höcke's Seat in Doubt for Thuringia State ParliamentAFD faction leader Björn Höcke in Thuringia may not secure a seat in the upcoming state parliament. His party colleagues could even prevent him from entering. Many AfD candidates have strong chances of winning in the constituencies, but Höcke has a tough competitor in the CDU candidate Christian Tischner in his constituency Greiz II. If Tischner wins and the AfD gains more direct mandates than they can accommodate, no one will be able to enter via the state list, not even Höcke, who holds the first place. In this scenario, the AfD may try to persuade a successful direct candidate to relinquish their state parliament seat, allowing Höcke to secure his mandate.
16:48 Media Excluded from Thuringia's AfD Election PartyThere's a high likelihood that there will be no media coverage of the Thuringia AFD's election party. The party, classified as right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency, attempted to bar several media outlets from the event. However, a court prohibited this, leading the state party to ban all press. A party spokesman cited organizational issues, stating that there wasn't enough space at the venue for all the media representatives who had applied for accreditation.
16:29 24% Vote by Mail in SaxonyFor the election that Saxony's CDU Minister-President Michael Kretschmer referred to as a "decisive election" for the state, almost a quarter of eligible voters already cast their ballots by mail. The state election commissioner expects 24.6% of voters to have voted by mail. The voter turnout today was only slightly higher than in 2019 at early afternoon.
15:52 Höcke Votes, Ramelow with WifeThuringia's AFD state chairman and top candidate, Björn Höcke, cast his vote at noon. Höcke arrived at his polling station in a Lada Niva, a Russian-made off-road vehicle. Höcke voted in Bornhagen in the Eichsfeld district. Minister-President Bodo Ramelow voted in the state capital of Erfurt, accompanied by his wife, Germana Alberti vom Hofe. At 68, Ramelow has been the head of government in the Free State since 2014, leading a minority coalition.
15:40 Higher Voter Turnout than Previous Elections in Thuringia and SaxonyIn Thuringia, 44.4% of voters had cast their ballots by 2:00 PM, an increase of over 2 points compared to the previous election held five years ago. This suggests a high turnout, with mail-in voters yet to be accounted for, as stated by the election commissioner. Similarly, in Saxony, the turnout was also higher than in 2019, albeit marginally, at 35.4%. However, the election commissioner anticipates a significant increase in mail-in voters compared to 2019. The polling stations in both states will close at 6:00 PM.
15:13 Kretschmer Hopes for the Success of the Coalition Parties in the State Parliament
14:40 Important Issues for Saxony and ThuringiaA large survey reveals that nearly one-third of people in Saxony and Thuringia plan to vote for the AfD in the September 1st elections. The survey sheds light on why this is the case, highlighting significant concerns and problems. Migration is just one of the many issues.
14:13 Höcke Leaves the Polling Station QuicklyAt the Thuringia state election, AfD top candidate Björn Höcke votes around midday. The far-right politician leaves the Bornhagen polling station promptly and does not speak to journalists onsite. Having previously lost to the CDU candidate in his home constituency of Eichsfeld, Höcke decided to switch to the Greiz constituency. However, he still faces a likely defeat against the CDU there.
13:50 Similar Voter Turnout in Thuringia to 2019 at NoonIn Thuringia, voter turnout appears to be similar to the previous parliamentary election. According to the state election commissioner, around 32% of eligible voters had cast their ballots in polling stations by noon. Mail-in voters are not included in these figures. At the same time in the 2019 state election, voter turnout was 31.2%. There seems to be more interest in this state election than in the recent European and local elections, where voter turnout was 24.3% at the same time.
13:29 High Voter Turnout Expected in SaxonyHigh voter turnout is expected in Saxony's state election. By midday, 25.8% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, according to the Statistical State Office in Kamenz. At the same time in the previous 2019 state election, the figure was 26.2%. Mail-in voters are not yet included in these preliminary numbers. It is anticipated that 24.6% of eligible voters will exercise their right to vote by mail, compared to 16.9% in 2019. The state election office reports that the elections have so far proceeded without disruptions, with no known issues.
13:11 Potential Impact of the State Election Results on Berlin's CoalitionThe results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia are still pending. Political scientist Albrecht von Lucke suggests that if the SPD does not make it into the state parliament, it would be almost like an earthquake.
12:44 Investigation into Threat at Polling Station in GeraPolice in Gera are investigating a threat made at a polling station. A man wearing an AfD T-shirt entered the polling station to vote in the morning, but his shirt contained prohibited party advertising within the polling station. Upon being asked to remove the shirt, the man complied but subsequently threatened to return, expressing dissatisfaction with his treatment. Police took a statement and admonished the man. Additionally, police in Erfurt are investigating political graffiti near polling stations as cases of criminal damage.
12:15 Correctiv Warns of Circulating False InformationThe research network Correctiv cautions against a recurring false claim that signatures on ballots protect against vote tampering. In fact, the Federal Returning Officer's office confirmed to Correctiv that the ballot paper must not be signed. Signing the ballot paper by the voter could potentially endanger the secrecy of the vote, making the entire ballot paper invalid.
11:51 Voigt Expresses Hope for a Stable Majority in ThuringiaThuringia's CDU top candidate, Mario Voigt, has also cast his vote. He hopes "that many Thuringians will go to the polls and exercise their right to determine the future of our state," he said after voting in Jena. He also hopes for "stable majority ratios" to allow the state to move forward again.
11:25 Increase in Far-Right Attacks in SonnebergSonneberg, the first district in Germany to be led by an AfD politician, has reported an increase in far-right attacks. Activists have complained of being threatened, and many have discontinued their work as a result. Additionally, the number of far-right attacks has reportedly increased fivefold within a year. Experts see a potential connection to the AfD district administrator.
10:57 Kretschmer Addresses the Importance of the State Election in DresdenSaxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer refers to the state election as "probably the most important election in 34 years." Upon casting his vote in Dresden, he thanks many people who "voted differently" in the past but have chosen the "great force in the bourgeois center," namely the Saxon Union. "This understanding will enable a government formation that serves this land," Kretschmer continues. In recent polls, his CDU is in a close race with the AfD.
10:30 Ramelow: "Wagenknecht Alliance Isn't Running"Thuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow views election day as a "celebration of democracy," despite potential loss of his seat. During an interview with ntv, the Left Party politician explains why he opposes a minority government and expresses doubts about the BSW's capabilities.
09:59 "No Historical Sensitivity" - Historian Criticizes 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. According to the director of the German Polish Institute, speaking to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), someone lacked understanding of history who believed it would be appropriate to hold elections on September 1st. Regarding the AfD, which is classified as "extremist right" by both states' domestic intelligence services, Loew expressed concern: "This could lead to unfavorable connotations if a party emerges victorious in Dresden and Erfurt, particularly considering their connection to the NS era is murky."
09:30 "Crucial Election": All Information on the Saxony State ElectionOver 3.3 million eligible voters in Saxony have the chance today to determine the political direction of the Dresden state parliament. If the CDU forfeits its position as the largest party in the state, which it has held since 1990, it would mark a significant shift. Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer calls the election "crucial." "Everything is at stake here."
09:05 Kretschmer Accuses Traffic Light Coalition of Late-Stage CampaigningElections in Saxony are underway; will Minister President Michael Kretschmer keep the CDU's winning streak in the state alive? In an interview with ntv, he discusses his stance on the refugee debate, the traffic light coalition, and the Ukraine conflict.
08:46 Thuringia's Election Data Continued...The decision day has arrived: In the heart of Germany, the question is who will govern the roughly 2.1 million inhabitants' state for the coming five years. Will the AfD, with Björn Höcke heading their ticket, climb to the top in Thuringia?
08:24 How the AfD Might Undermine DemocracyPolls suggest the AfD is likely to gain significant influence in the upcoming elections in Saxony and Thuringia. This, according to a research group, poses an issue for democratic institutions, as they may not be as robust as people believe.
08:00 Polling stations in Thuringia and Saxony open
Today, elections for new state parliaments are held in Thuringia and Saxony. In polls, the AfD is predicted to win in Thuringia. In Saxony, the CDU, led by incumbent Minister President Michael Kretschmer, and the AfD are neck and neck. Projections are expected around 18:00 when the polling stations close. These elections serve as a test for the traffic light coalition in Berlin for the current red-red-green coalition in Thuringia led by Minister President Bodo Ramelow (Left), which lacks a majority in the polls. A possible solution is a coalition of the CDU, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), and the SPD. In Saxony, it remains uncertain whether the current coalition of CDU, SPD, and Greens will maintain its majority. Kretschmer does not rule out an alliance with the BSW. The Left party risks being ousted from the parliament in Saxony, while the same fate could befall the Greens and FDP in Thuringia.
The Netherlands could potentially offer guidance on forming a minority government, as they have experienced success with such configurations in the past.
Given the strong performance of the AfD in Saxony's state election, the Netherlands' experience with minority governments might be particularly relevant to discussions about governing in Saxony.
