The Authority is demanded to present a proposal for a regulatory guidance on safeguarding laborers from dangers stemming from radiation exposure due to ionizing rays.
18:13 Projection for Saxony: CDU barely surpasses AfD, BSW at 12%, Greens scrapping byAs per the initial projections for the Saxony state election, the CDU is leading with 31.5% of the votes cast, barely surpassing the AfD's 30%. The BSW follows closely behind with 12%, securing a notable position. The SPD is set to maintain their presence in the state parliament with 8.5%, while the Greens are struggling to make the cut, currently at 5.5%. The Left party and the FDP unfortunately fall short of making it into the new parliament.
18:10 Projection for Thuringia: AfD edges out CDU, BSW scores 16%The first projections for the Thuringia state election suggest that the AfD is leading with 30.5% of the votes, closely followed by the CDU with 24.5%. The Left party holds 12.5% of the votes, ensuring their representation in the state parliament. The BSW is also set to enter the state parliament, garnering 16% of the votes. The Greens and the FDP fail to garner more than 5% of the votes.
18:01 AfD dominates Thuringia, BSW breaks double digits in Saxony"Expectedly," the AfD emerges as the strongest force in Thuringia, according to initial projections. The SPD manages to cross the 5% threshold, while the Greens and FDP fall short. In Saxony, the BSW achieves a significant double-digit result. The CDU maintains a narrow lead over the AfD. Based on the projections, the Left and FDP are unlikely to secure representation in the state parliament, while the Greens are predicted to remain.
17:18 Potential risk for Höcke in Thuringia state parliamentIn the Thuringia state election, AfD faction leader Björn Höcke faces an uncertain future in the state parliament. His fellow party members in the constituencies have better chances of securing a direct mandate, which may potentially jeopardize Höcke's position. In fact, his main competitor, Christian Tischner from the CDU, threatens to outperform Höcke in their shared constituency of Greiz II. If Tischner secures a win and the AfD surpasses their entitled direct mandate votes, neither Höcke nor any other candidate could gain entry through the state list, even if they rank first. In such a scenario, the AfD may try to persuade a successful direct candidate to forgo their seat, allowing Höcke to retain his mandate.
16:48 Thuringian AfD election party shuns media coverageIt is unlikely that the Thuringian AfD's election celebration will receive any media coverage. Classified as right-wing extremist by the constitutional protection office, the party attempted to exclude several media outlets from the event. However, a court interfered, forcing the party to exclude the press altogether due to supposed organizational issues, as they could not accommodate all the media representatives who sought accreditation due to space constraints.
16:29 Voter turnout for mail-in ballots surges in SaxonyFor the much-anticipated Saxony election, led by CDU Minister President Michael Kretschmer, nearly a quarter (24.6%) of eligible voters have already cast their ballots via mail. The state election supervisor projects a higher voter turnout compared to 2019, at around 35.4% in the early afternoon. However, they expect a significantly higher number of mail-in votes than in 2019.
15:52 Höcke and Ramelow vote in styleOn September 1, Thuringia's AfD state leader and leading candidate Björn Höcke cast his vote at noon, arriving at his polling station in a Russian-made Lada Niva off-road vehicle. Höcke voted in Bornhagen, Eichsfeld. Meanwhile, Minister President Bodo Ramelow cast his ballot in the state capital of Erfurt, accompanied by his wife Germana Alberti vom Hofe. Ramelow, a 68-year-old head of government, has served in the role since 2014, leading a minority coalition.
15:40 Higher voter turnout than previous election in ThuringiaAs of 2:00 PM, 44.4% of voters had already cast their ballots in Thuringia. This represents a growth of over 2 percentage points compared to the last election five years ago, suggesting a high voter turnout expected to continue. It is worth noting that mail-in voters are yet to be accounted for, according to the state election supervisor. In Saxony, voter turnout also saw a slight increase compared to 2019, at 35.4%, with the expectation of far more mail-in votes than before. Polling stations in both states will remain open until 6:00 PM.
15:13 Kretschmer expresses hope that "traffic light" parties will still secure state parliament representation
14:40 Top issues for Saxony and Thuringia votersA substantial survey reveals that approximately one-third of Saxony and Thuringia residents plan to vote for the AfD in the forthcoming September 1 elections. The survey sheds light on the primary reasons for this prevalence, highlighting numerous pressing concerns and problems. Migration is merely one of them.
14:18 Höcke swiftly departs from voting stationThe leading AfD candidate for Thuringia's state elections, Björn Höcke, voted at noon. He didn't linger long at the Bornhagen polling station and declined to speak with journalists present. Given his history of losing to the CDU in his home district of Eichsfeld, Höcke changed his constituency to Greiz. Yet, he may still face defeat against the CDU in this new area.
13:45 Thuringia's voting turnout similar to 2019 midday figuresThere's been a steady voter turnout in Thuringia, resembling the figures from the previous parliamentary election. By midday, approximately 32% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, according to the election supervisor. It's important to note that mail-in ballots aren't included in this data. During the 2019 election, the turnout was 31.2% at this time. Interestingly, there appears to be more interest in the state election compared to the European and local elections held earlier this year, with a turnout of only 24.3% at the same time.
13:00 High voter turnout anticipated in SaxonyA high voter turnout is predicted for the Saxony state election. By midday, 25.8% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, according to the Statistical Office in Kamenz. During the 2019 state election, the turnout was 26.2% at the same hour. At present, the preliminary figures exclude postal votes. It's projected that 24.6% of eligible voters will vote by mail, a significant increase from the 16.9% in 2019. The state election process is reportedly proceeding smoothly without any disruptions.
12:36 Von Lucke: SPD's absence from parliament might cause an earthquakeThe outcomes of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia are still pending. Political scientist Albrecht von Lucke states that if the SPD fails to enter the state parliament, it would amount to an "almost aggressive earthquake." During an interview with ntv, he analyzed the situation and its potential consequences.
12:02 Police investigate threats at Thuringia polling stationThuringian authorities are investigating a threat at a polling station in Gera. A man clad in an AfD T-shirt attempted to vote in the morning, but was asked by the polling station manager to remove his shirt due to party advertising restrictions inside the polling station. Though he complied, he became agitated upon leaving the premises and threatened to return. Police took a statement and warned the man. Furthermore, police in Erfurt are looking into political graffiti ("Höcke is a Nazi") near polling stations, classifying the incidents as criminal damage.
11:30 Correctiv cautions against misinformation regarding vote tamperingThe research network Correctiv has issued a warning regarding a recurring false news story. This myth suggests that signing the voting slip prevents vote tampering. However, according to the Federal Returning Officer's office, signing the slip endangers the secrecy of the vote, rendering the entire slip invalid.
11:00 Voigt hopes for stable majority relations in ThuringiaThuringia's CDU top candidate Mario Voigt voted and expressed hope that "many Thuringian citizens will cast their ballots and determine their nation's future." Additionally, he wished for "stable majority relations" to help steer the country forward once again.
10:25 Right-wing extremist incidents in Sonneberg have significantly increasedSonneberg became the first district in Germany with an AfD politician as its district administrator. Since then, activists report receiving numerous threats and had to cease their work. The number of right-wing extremist incidents in the district has also substantially increased by fivefold within a year. Experts attribute the surge to the AfD district administrator.
10:00 Kretschmer views Saxony state election as "probably the most significant in 34 years"Michael Kretschmer, Saxony's Minister-President, considers the state election in his region "probably the most critical in 34 years." Upon casting his vote in Dresden, he expressed gratitude to those who voted differently in the past but have now chosen to support the Saxon Union. Kretschmer believes that understanding will enable a government formation that benefits the land. Arguably, his CDU is currently in fierce competition with the AfD in the polls.
09:59 "Hhistorically Inept Election Choice" - Historian Critiques Election DateHistorian Peter Oliver Loew criticizes the election date for the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, occurring on the 85th anniversary of Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939, labeling it as "historically inept." As the director of the German Institute for Polish Affairs, Loew spoke to the editorial network Germany (RND), stating, "Anyone thinking this was a good idea to schedule elections on September 1st clearly lacks a sense of history." Looking to the extremist-classified Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in both states, Loew warned, "This could lead to rather uncomfortable associations if a party with an unclear relationship to the Nazi era possibly wins in Dresden and Erfurt."
09:30 "Pivotal Election": All Statistics for Saxony's State ElectionOver 3.3 million registered voters in Saxony have the chance today to decide the political future of the Dresden state parliament. With the CDU potentially losing their position as the dominant force in the state since 1990, this election is critical. Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer describes it as a "pivotal election." "Everything is on the line."
09:05 Kretschmer Accuses Traffic Light Coalition of "Last-Minute Maneuvers Just Before the Election"Today's election day in Saxony raises this question: Will Michael Kretschmer continue 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.
08:46 All Data for Thuringia's ElectionElection day arrives: In the heart of Germany, political control of the approximately 2.1 million inhabitants of the state will be determined for the next five years. Will the AfD, led by leading candidate Björn Höcke, become the dominant force in Thuringia?
08:24 How the AfD Could Undermine DemocracySurveys suggest: The AfD is likely to significantly strengthen their influence in the upcoming elections in Saxony and Thuringia. According to researchers, this is concerning for democratic institutions, as the rule of law may be less robust than believed.
08:00 Polling Stations Open in Thuringia and SaxonyNew state parliaments are being elected in Thuringia and Saxony today. Polls indicate the AfD will likely emerge victorious in Thuringia. In Saxony, the CDU of Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer and the AfD are in a tight race. First estimates are predicted around 6 pm as polling stations close. These elections in the two eastern German federal states serve as a barometer for the Traffic Light Coalition in Berlin.
For the current Thuringian ruling coalition of Minister President Bodo Ramelow (Left), there is no majority in the polls. A post-election coalition option exists, incorporating the CDU, Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), and SPD. In Saxony, it remains uncertain whether the current coalition of CDU, SPD, and Greens will maintain their majority. Kretschmer refuses to rule out an alliance with the BSW. The Left party faces the likelihood of being ousted from the parliament in Saxony. A similar fate may befall the Greens and FDP in Thuringia.
Despite the current projections, the CDU may struggle to maintain their lead over the AfD in future Thuringian elections, as shown by the recent polls.The recent projections suggest that the AfD will have a challenging time surpassing the CDU in Saxony, contrary to their strong showing in Thuringia.
