The state elections in Thuringia and Saxony have put the spotlight on the far-right AfD party, which is poised to become the number one party in these regions. Coalition building is proving to be a challenge, with Sahra Wagenknecht's alliance weakening the Left Party and strengthening the extreme right.
CDU candidate Mario Voigt and BSW candidate Katja Wolf are vying to become prime ministers, while current Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer aims to maintain control in Saxony. AfD leader Björn Höcke is asserting his party's claim to government responsibility, despite being classified as right-wing extremist by the Verfassungsschutz.
The other democratic parties are determined to keep AfD out of power. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, and FDP leader Christian Lindner are mobilizing support for a coalition of traffic light parties.
Meanwhile, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann sees the CDU as the last remaining major party and a bulwark against the rise of AfD. The elections have brought significant challenges for Bodo Ramelow, the current Minister President of Thuringia, as his party, the Left Party, has suffered losses.
Tarek Al-Wazir, former deputy minister president of Hesse and prominent Green politician, is eyeing a seat in the Bundestag.
