Germany’s right-wing populist party AfD was defeated in local elections in the state of Thuringia on Sunday, finishing second behind the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Polls previously indicated that the AfD would win the election.
In the state of Thuringia, elections were held in the district of Saale-Orla. The region is considered an AfD stronghold, with state elections due to be held in September. Observers expect the AfD to win this election.
However, the AfD candidate lost to the CDU candidate in Saale-Orla. In the first round on January 14, AfD candidate Uwe Thrum obtained 45.7 percent of the votes, while CDU candidate Christian Herrgott obtained 33.3 percent of the votes. The second round took place on Sunday, Herrgott obtained 52.4% of the votes, Thrum 47.6%, the Financial Times reported.
Saale-Orla borders the federal states of Bavaria and Saxony, where around 66,000 voting residents live. It is one of the poorest regions in Germany, the average annual salary is 29,000 euros.
The turnout in the second round was slightly lower than 70%, almost double compared to the 2018 elections. The high turnout could mean that concern about the AfD is growing in Germany.
In Germany there is a lot of dissatisfaction with economic and political developments, which is why support for populist parties is growing in the country. In Germany, however, there are now protests against the AfD, with some politicians even calling for it to be banned. Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed, however, that he does not support the AfD ban.
Germany’s main parties are now working together to prevent the rise of the AfD. The Interior Minister of Thuringia (SPD), for example, called on voters to support the CDU candidate.
2024-01-29 10:22:00
the-afd-was-defeated-in-local-elections-in-a-foreign-country