Community polls - The CDU district association in Thuringia refuses to campaign against neo-Nazi Tommy Frenck.
In the run-up to the district council election in the southern Thuringian town of Hildburghausen, home to a neo-Nazi candidate, the local branch of the CDU is reluctant to issue a formal endorsement. "We debated this fiercely in the board. A majority voted to step back from the second round of voting," said district chairman Christopher Other to stern. The paper "Freies Wort" had previously reported on their decision.
On the upcoming Sunday, the second round of voting for the district council spot in Hildburghausen will be held. The leading candidate is the mayor of Eisfeld, Sven Gregor (Independents), who garnered 42.2% of votes in the initial round. He's up against notorious neo-Nazi Tommy Frenck, who secured 24.9%. The CDU representative missed the cut in the first round.
Frenck, whose past includes declaring "national liberated zones" in Thuringia and NPD membership, runs a scene club with far-right mail-order business. He also organized several neo-Nazi mega-concerts in his home district while sitting on the "Alliance for Hildburghausen" in the district council, which he founded.
Other justified the choice of the district board, citing the experiences from the district council election in the neighboring Sonneberg district. In June 2023, AfD candidate Robert Sesselmann won the second round, despite opposition from multiple parties.
"We want to steer clear of the Sonneberg scenario. Encouraging a united front could encourage more people to vote for the fringe candidate," said Other. Additionally, Gregor did not request formal support from other parties, so the CDU honored his wishes.
Gregor agrees with the assessment. "I want to win the support of voters firsthand," he told stern. "I've encountered individuals who view politics differently today and react less amicably to endorsements."
In contrast, the Thuringian CDU leadership is emphatic in their stance. "The CDU firmly supports Gregor as the future district councilor," said General Secretary Christian Herrgott in a statement. "Nazis have no place in any election."
Incidentally, Herrgott snared the district council election in the Saale-Orla district against the preferred AfD contender with united support from the SPD and Left. Hence, he stated a phrasing with a clear recommendation for the voting day. "When the CDU's not present in the second round, we endorse the candidates from the SPD, FDP, or Independent alliances," he said.
Previous instances of disregarding state party orders in Southern Thuringia include the Hildburghausen district association nominating Hans-Georg Maassen as a Bundestag contender in spite of Herrgott and Chairman Mario Voigt's admonitions.
Katja Mast, parliamentary manager of the SPD Bundestag faction, voiced disapproval over the Hildburghausen district association's refusal to support the democratic candidate. "I'm infuriated that the CDU district association in Hildburghausen isn't pushing for the election of a democratic candidate," she said to stern. The question remains if all members of the Union can do as they please. "This double game is highly harmful and aids those who aim to dismantle our democracy," Mast added.
District Chairman Other addressed the criticism by responding defiantly but also softening his tone. "No one wants Frenck as the district administrator," he said. "That's a known Neo-Nazi." But, he also implied support for Gregor, the Independent candidate, by stating, "Sven Gregor is a competent candidate who's proven himself as mayor. I hope people will use their right to vote, and not think the matter's already decided."
Gregor also emphasized the importance of casting ballots. "Elections kick off anew in the second round. If insufficient people vote, Frenck could snatch the victory," said the district administrator candidate. Thus, planning a final call-to-action via video, invoking CDU district chief Other, and urging broad citizen participation is his next move.
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In the same political landscape, critical voices rose against the CDU district association in the neighboring district of Saale-Orla, as they endorsed an independent candidate over the preferred AfD contender. This move mirrors the position of the Hildburghausen CDU, choosing not to actively campaign against the neo-Nazi candidate Tommy Frenck in the district administrator election.
Despite the general secretary of the Thuringian CDU, Christian Herrgott, publicly denouncing any support for neo-Nazis and advocating for the democratic candidate, the CDU district association in Hildburghausen remains divided on the issue. This controversy echoes the broader debate within the Union party about orthodoxy and autonomy in local elections.
During the run-off election in Hildburghausen, the success of Mayor Sven Gregor (Independents) and the neo-Nazi Tommy Frenck could hinge on voter turnout. The CDU's decision not to actively campaign against Frenck has been criticized by some within the party, but the move may also reflect broader tensions between local loyalty and national party interests.
