The educator triumphant over Höcke in the Thuringian history contest
In the Thuringia state election, Höcke once again falls short in the direct election. With a significant lead, CDU candidate Tischner clinches the seat in the shared constituency. During the campaign, the history teacher stresses his East German roots, distinguishing him from AfD leader Höcke.
Höcke, also a history teacher, swapped constituencies, thinking he'd have better chances in Tischner's region than in the CDU stronghold of Eichsfeld, where he resides with his family. "He aimed to exploit the region, and I think many people expressed they didn't want that," Tischner stated after his triumph. He garnered 43% of the votes, while Höcke managed only 38.9%.
Education politician Tischner, a native of East Thuringia, is renowned within the CDU and is said to be a confidant of CDU state leader Mario Voigt and a member of his "expert team." In the event that the portfolio goes to the CDU, he's being touted as a potential education minister. Voigt has the best chances of becoming the new minister president following the state election. However, he'll first need to form a coalition and may need to include the new party Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht. Moreover, his coalition negotiations are hampered by incompatibility resolutions between his party and the AfD and the Left, making it challenging to form majorities in the Thuringia parliament without the participation of either party.
Within the CDU, Tischner advocates for a firm stance on dealing with the AfD, asserting that collaboration with Höcke's party is impractical. "Their politics are not only indecent and disrespectful but also tarnish everything they touch, including the churches and the economy. It's already impossible to work with these individuals based on style," Tischner declared.
No "Tischner versus Höcke" contest
The 43-year-old, having been raised in East Thuringia, pursued a teaching degree at grammar schools, and then became a history and social studies teacher in Thuringia after a professional detour in Bremen. When he learned that Höcke was eyeing his constituency for a direct bid, he acknowledged that the campaign would no longer be about policy but purely personalities.
Despite this, Tischner intentionally avoided a "Tischner vs Höcke" contest, fearing it would only drive more supporters to the AfD. "People have concerns and apprehensions, and we must address them," he asserted during the campaign. He ran his campaign using the slogan, "The One From Here!" Höcke, born in North Rhine-Westphalia, spent his childhood in Rhineland-Palatinate before later relocating to the northwestern part of Thuringia.
Tischner expressed his disapproval of a direct contest against Höcke, stating, "I didn't want to turn it into a 'Tischner versus Höcke' contest, as it could potentially drive more supporters to the AfD." Following the elections, it became clear that Tischner's strategy proved effective, as he won the Elections to the Landtag of Thuringia with a considerable lead, while Höcke failed to secure a seat in the direct election.
