The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party made gains in local elections in Thuringia, an eastern state where the party is strong. Despite their gains, AfD failed to secure outright victories in the elections where they gained nearly nine points compared to 2019, taking around 26% of the vote. The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) remained slightly ahead of AfD whose support was more or less unchanged. Nine AfD candidates qualified for runoff votes against CDU rivals, with only one county where the far-right party had a small lead going into the runoff vote for head of the local administration.
Thuringia is the state where AfD won its first county leadership post nearly a year ago. Observers believe that AfD is likely to lose the runoff votes as mainstream parties’ supporters may give their votes to its rivals. Despite building a strong core of support, AfD has had a turbulent few weeks, partly due to scandals surrounding its lead candidate for the upcoming European Parliament election. Earlier this month, a court ruled that Björn Höcke, an influential figure in AfD, knowingly used a Nazi slogan in a speech and was ordered to pay a fine of 13,000 euros. His lawyers are currently appealing the decision.
The local elections in Thuringia come ahead of a state election on September 1, in which AfD’s local leader, Björn Höcke, plans to run for the governor’s job. While AfD has not secured outright victories in the recent elections, the party’s performance indicates a growing presence in the state. The election results showed AfD gaining ground compared to the last elections, but remaining slightly behind the CDU. The upcoming state election will be a significant test for AfD and its aspirations in Thuringia.
Despite the gains made by AfD in the local elections, the party faces challenges as it navigates through controversies and legal issues. The recent ruling against Björn Höcke for using a Nazi slogan in a speech has brought negative attention to AfD and its leadership. The party’s ability to rally support and maintain its momentum will be crucial in the upcoming state election. The runoff votes in Thuringia will provide further insights into the political landscape and the dynamics between mainstream parties and AfD.
The outcome of the local elections in Thuringia reflects the growing influence of far-right parties like AfD in German politics. While AfD has made gains in recent years, it still faces resistance from mainstream parties and voters who are wary of its divisive rhetoric. The upcoming state election in Thuringia will be closely watched as a barometer of AfD’s political strength in the region. As the party continues to face controversies and legal challenges, its performance in the elections will be crucial in shaping the political landscape in Thuringia and beyond.
