Leon Walter: Strategies against Höcke - political struggle in Greiz

Leon Walter: Strategies against Höcke - political struggle in Greiz

in the city of Greiz, which is often perceived as a picturesque idyll, the political landscape is increasingly shaped by tensions and conflicts. The 22-year-old Leon Walter, who runs for the Left Party in the state election in Thuringia, faces an unexpected rise of right-wing extremism. The announcement by Björn Höcke, the head of the Thuringian AfD, in Walter's home constituency, not only changed the election campaign of the young politician, but also significantly heated up the general mood on site.

with Höcke's constituency change from the Eichsfeld to Greiz, Walter not only expects increased competition, but also with a dangerous environment. "I no longer go out of the house without a pepper spray," he admits and illustrates the reality with which he is confronted. Höcke, who acts as a catalyst for right -wing extremist mobilization, attracts aggressive groups that are increasingly intensifying the feeling of uncertainty and threats.

The reality of election campaign and threats

The situation recently escalated when Walter and his party colleagues were attacked by a mob in their constituency office during a democratic festival. "We were on the way back to the office when they followed us with the words 'Leon, we'll get you'," he says. These attacks are more than just individual incidents. They are part of a major problem that Walter cannot ignore and that in East Thuringia, as experts have found, has been on the uppercase for some time.

Walter describes how the identity and threat to the right -wing extremist scene are becoming more and more present. In Greiz, an active neo-Nazi scene has established itself, the members of which occur openly and want to influence local politics. One of the best -known figures is right -wing extremist David Köckert, who ensures fear with his openly propagated ideologies and symbols. Walter underlines that it is not just about political competition, but about physical security and personal identity.

Preparations for the election are not only a political challenge for Walter, they also reflect the confused social conditions in the region. "The most shocking for me is that an active ringleader works as a civil servant in a neighboring city," says Walter and points to a poster wall where his own election posters hang among the oversized humps. His image campaign is severely affected by the aggressive presence of the AfD.

effects on the community and the fear of a retreat

The drama in Walter's life does not stop at his family. "My parents are afraid, but I don't want to pinch," explains the young politician. This despair leads to constant tension and pressure to meet expectations. It's not just an election campaign for him; It is about the commitment to his beliefs and the protection of his values. In conversations with voters, he tries to consider the everyday worries of people.

"I don't just want to be there and challenge, but find out what really busy people," says Walter. He plants himself in the community and pays attention to the questions that others ask about pensions, infrastructure and social justice. His willingness to speak to the citizens on their garden fence shows his motivation to create connections and offer solutions.

In the face of surveys, Walter is optimistic. "I have the feeling that we can continue the positive conversations, even if the fears are great," he says with determination. The commitment he shows could act as a kind of pioneering work for a new wave of political activism in his city.

A look into the dark corner of Thuringian politics

But reality remains challenging and complex. The election campaign preparations are often accompanied by depressing thoughts: How can you assert yourself against such a influential figure as Höcke that not only embodies a political platform, but also an aggressive and often threatening movement? Walter hopes that his commitment and perspectives will encourage people in the region to overlook the differences and to recognize the importance of solidarity. According to his own words, he hopes that "young people don't have to live in fear, simply because they have a different opinion".

background of the political situation in Thuringia

Thuringia has gone through a dynamic political development in recent years. The 2019 state election was characterized by a historical result in which the left and the AfD increased significantly, while the traditional popular parties, CDU and SPD, had to accept clear losses of votes. These shifts reflect the social and economic challenges with which Thuringia is confronted, especially in the structurally weak rural regions. In many places, the population suffers from emigration, unemployment and falling income, which can favor extremist currents.

The political tensions in Thuringia were further heated by the controversy around the then Prime Minister Thomas Kemmerich (FDP), who was elected in 2020 with votes from the AfD. This event led to a political isolation of the FDP and a tightening of the debates about dealing with the AfD. Such incidents have severely affected the relationship between the parties in the country and contributed to the development of an extremely polarized political atmosphere.

Current statistics on the political situation in Thuringia

A survey on behalf of the MDR from 2023 shows that the AfD in Thuringia is still strong and is even launched as the strongest force in some surveys. When asked about the preferred political party, 30% of those surveyed stated that they support the AfD. In contrast, the Left Party, which also includes Leon Walter, is also enjoying a stable electorate, but only comes to about 20% of the votes.

Another interesting aspect is the increase in attacks on political opponents. According to a study by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) from 2022, the number of politically motivated crimes in eastern Germany rose by 15%, with a significant increase in violence in Thuringia in the area of ​​elections. These statistics support the dangerous situation in which candidates like Leon Walter are.

neo-Nazi scene in Thuringia

The neo-Nazi scene in East Thuringia has increasingly solidified in recent years. With a variety of groups and through networking over social media, they are able to spread their ideologies broadly and to address a younger audience. In the region, experts kept seeing signs of a gap between social inequality and the strengthened extremist opinions, which subsequently led to an extremely tense political situation.