- Urgent action urged following Thuringia election by eco-politician
Madeleine Henfling, the potential leader for Thuringian Greens, anticipates the AfD attempting to disrupt the government formation post-state election. In the event of severe chaos, Henfling believes the AfD may exploit the situation to push aside rivals, insert themselves into critical decision-making processes, and ultimately strive for a direct vote for the state premier. According to her, the AfD might be eager for an immediate direct electoral vote for the state premier.
Per the Thuringian constitution, within 30 days following the election, the new state parliament should be established. Henfling underscores the significance of this timeframe as a critical period.
After the realization of the new state parliament, a direct electoral vote for the state premier is feasible. In the third round of voting, the candidate garnering the most votes secures victory, without the need for an absolute majority.
There are apprehensions that the Thuringia's AfD leader, Björn Höcke, could contest if the AfD emerges as the dominant party in the state election. According to polls, the extremist-labeled AfD has led the polls for several months.
Georg Maier, the SPD's leading candidate, also shares concerns regarding a potential challenging government formation. Maier believes that the AfD will instigate unrest by requesting an early direct electoral vote for the state premier or similar, aiming to disrupt coalition negotiations. He emphasized this is their strategy to attack democracy internally.
Voigt Specifies Conditions for Candidacy
Mario Voigt, the CDU's potential candidate seeking to assume the Erfurt state chancellery as head of government, declared in an interview with "taz" that he would only vie for a direct electoral vote for the state premier if Thuringia and her democratic institutions are safeguarded. Voigt has pledged to shun any cooperation with the AfD and labeled Höcke as a threat to the nation.
When asked if history might repeat itself, as it did on February 5, 2020, when the FDP politician Thomas Kemmerich was elected head of government using AfD votes, Voigt articulated they had learned from that experience.
Polls show the AfD between 28-30%, with Voigt's CDU stagnating at 21-23%. On the heels of them, Wagenknecht's BSW is nipping at their heels with 19-21%. This could potentially turn into a race for second place and the state premier's office, with no other party keen on establishing a coalition with the AfD.
Henfling also shared her reservations about demands from the Wagenknecht party BSW for a new approach to the AfD. She worrisome of a potential alliance between BSW and AfD due to overlapping viewpoints in specific policy areas within their programs. Furthermore, there's a danger that BSW members might be overwhelmed in the political arena due to their lack of expertise.
Possible Consent for AfD Bills
Katja Wolf, the BSW's top candidate, stirred controversy by stating, during a television round, that her party might approve AfD bills if deemed proper. Party founder Sahra Wagenknecht later disputed this strategy, stating it had failed to stop the AfD.
Maier regards the BSW as an alternative to the AfD but then behaves like a coalition provider in essence. He remains skeptical about the BSW, expressing concerns about their content and personnel. He reaffirms that the SPD would not partake in a government reliant on varying majorities involving the AfD.
In light of the potential chaos after the state election, Madeleine Henfling warns that the AfD might aim to disrupt government formation and push for an election of Prime Minister to secure a position in critical decision-making processes. Following the establishment of the new state parliament, direct elections for the state premier could occur, with the candidate receiving the most votes in the third round securing victory without an absolute majority.
