The conservative Werteunion party, led by Hans-Georg Maaßen, is gearing up for the upcoming state election in Thuringia. The party aims to gain a foothold in the region and potentially have Maaßen become the Minister-President of the state after the election. The Werteunion was formed from the values union association, which claimed to represent the conservative core of the CDU and CSU parties. However, it was not officially recognized as a party organization until a majority vote in January led to its separation from the Union to form a conservative-liberal party.
With the upcoming state election in Thuringia on September 1st, the Werteunion is set to establish its first state organization and form a local party list. Despite currently polling at only one percent in the state, the party is optimistic about its chances, especially with Hans-Georg Maaßen’s leadership. The party’s goal is to achieve a double-digit result in the election and intends to partner with the “Bürger für Thüringen” party for joint campaigning. While they have not made any coalition declarations at this stage, the party believes there is potential for them to make an impact in the election due to the current political landscape in Thuringia.
The political ambitions of the Werteunion in Thuringia come after Hans-Georg Maaßen faced a defeat in the 2021 federal election when he ran as a candidate for the CDU in South Thuringia. Despite being presented as a strong candidate, Maaßen lost to SPD’s Frank Ullrich, an Olympic champion, due to his local popularity. However, the current political situation in Thuringia, with a minority government led by Left Party’s Bodo Ramelow, offers new opportunities for the Werteunion. With the AfD polling at around 30 percent, the other parties are hesitant to form a coalition with them, presenting a potential opening for a conservative party like the Werteunion.
The Werteunion’s strategy includes not participating in the European elections in June but focusing on building more state organizations in regions where elections are upcoming, such as Brandenburg and Saxony. By laying the groundwork in these areas, the party aims to expand its presence and potentially take part in the upcoming state elections. The reluctance to form a coalition with the AfD and the unique political dynamics in Thuringia present an opportunity for the Werteunion to establish itself as a viable alternative and potentially influence the state’s political landscape.
As the Werteunion gears up for the state election in Thuringia, their goal of achieving a double-digit result and potentially having Hans-Georg Maaßen as the Minister-President showcases their ambition to make a significant impact in the region. By partnering with other like-minded parties and focusing on building a strong presence in upcoming election regions, the Werteunion seeks to establish itself as a prominent conservative force in Thuringia’s political arena. With the volatile political climate in the state and the uncertainty surrounding potential coalitions, the Werteunion sees an opportunity to make their mark and potentially reshape the political landscape in Thuringia.
