Thuringia's state election: AfD dominates, CDU and SPD lose significantly

Thuringia's state election: AfD dominates, CDU and SPD lose significantly

The state elections in Thuringia were characterized by tension and unexpected results today. With a turnout of around 69.2 percent, over 1.66 million citizens entitled to vote flocked to the urns. The first projections show that the AfD becomes the strongest party, with a result of 33.1 percent, followed by the CDU with 23.6 percent and the BSW (alliance Sahra Wagenknecht) with 15.6 percent. The left comes to 12.9 percent, while the SPD and the Greens only reach 6.0 and 3.2 percent.

The preliminary distribution of mandate indicates that the AfD could preserve between 31 and 32 seats in the new state parliament, while the CDU can rely on 23 mandates and the BSW on 15 mandates. In this highly polarized political landscape, numerous top candidates of the established parties had to come to terms with surprising defeats.

invalid voices and other abnormalities

The high number of invalid votes in two constituencies of the Wartburg district was particularly striking. In Wartburgkreis II, where the BSW top candidate Katja Wolf was available, Impressive 5,063 of 24.001 votes were invalid. In Wartburgkreis III, the number of invalid votes was 4,305 of 23,863. These figures are skill in a highlight of possible irregularities in the electoral system that require an in -depth review.

In addition, leading politicians from the established parties are Knüppeldick. Thuringia's CDU top candidate Mario Voigt narrowly missed the direct mandate in his constituency, where he was 38.9 percent with 37.5 percent behind the AfD candidate Wiebke Muhsal. The same applies to the AfD top candidate Björn Höcke, who lost to the CDU candidate Christian Tischner in his constituency. Disappointed faces also with the Social Democrats: Interior Minister Georg Maier only made it to third place in his Gotha I constituency.

Another remarkable element was the remarkable performance of the BSW, which can move directly into the state parliament in his first election participation. Katja Wolf, who is a top candidate there, spoke of a "historical moment" that prepares her "goosebumps". This shows that new political forces could move into the Thuringian state parliament and change the landscape considerably.

The elections are more than just a simple event; You could represent a turning point in Thuringian politics, especially in view of the possibility that the AfD will achieve a blocking minority. This would give their influence on blocking decisive elections in the state parliament, such as the election of constitutional judges.

The distribution of votes and the turnout also reflect a trend in which young electoral centers primarily increase the AfD. An analysis has shown that 38 percent of 18 to 24 year olds gave their voice of the AfD, which could continue to polarize the political landscape of Thuringia.