- Thuringian AfD Gathering once more featuring Höcke
Today, following his withdrawal from a TV discussion, the leading AfD candidate in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, will attend campaign events as planned, according to party officials. This was confirmed by the press spokesperson for the Thuringian AfD, Torben Braga. Among these events is a public appearance in Nordhausen later today.
Höcke had backed out of a debate hosted by ntv and Antenne Thüringen on Wednesday, with his representatives citing health concerns as the reason. Thuringia's AfD co-chair Stefan Möller filled in for Höcke during the discussion, indicating that Höcke hadn't slept well the previous night. Möller wasn't privy to Höcke's specific health issues or his personal physician. Prior to the show, Braga had already assured audiences that Höcke would be fit by Thursday.
According to ntv, Höcke had initially withdrawn on Monday, agreed to participate again on Tuesday, and ultimately dropped out again on Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday evening, Höcke was active on his unconventional social media account, X-account. He posted updates, including an announcement for a "Simson parade" through his constituency on Friday. Simson is a historic East German moped manufacturer. The accompanying image shows a helmet-less Höcke riding such a moped. The Thuringian CDU shared this post and quipped, "The remarkable recovery of Björn H. He seems to be mocking the voters." Höcke is campaigning as a direct candidate in East Thuringia, although he has resided in the Eichsfeld region, in the northwest of Thuringia, for many years. The Eichsfeld region is traditionally a stronghold for the CDU.
Despite withdrawing from a debate due to health concerns, Björn Höcke continues with his election campaign appearances as scheduled, including a public appearance in Nordhausen later today. Despite his absence from the TV discussion, Höcke remained active on his social media, announcing a "Simson parade" through his constituency.
