After the elections: political upheavals and new coalitions in East Germany

After the elections: political upheavals and new coalitions in East Germany

Erfurt/Dresden/Berlin - The political landscapes in Saxony and Thuringia are on the brink after the latest state elections. While the traffic light coalition is still in Berlin, it is massively shaken by the election results. This has immediate consequences not only for the countries concerned, but also for the entire federal policy. A pamphlet on the state of the parties and the challenges that are imminent.

The latest election analysis shows that the CDU, as one of the dominant parties, faces a major challenge. Your refusal to coalize the AfD or the Left Party could lead to political stagnation. Political scientist Oliver Lembcke emphasizes the need for the CDU to jump over her shadow and possibly check alliances with the left party. A dangerous balancing act that raises the question of how far borders have to be shifted in order to remain capable of action.

The role of the AfD: Ignore voter?

The AfD has brought itself into play as a coalition partner in both federal states after achieving recorder results - over 30 percent in Saxony and leader in Thuringia. The AfD head in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, accused the other parties to ignore the will of voters. The right -wing populist party sees itself in a key position and speaks of a "design minority" that it wants to use to create more stable conditions. This could be dangerous because it can block important decisions with a blocking minority.

The voters obviously have enough of established politics and demand change. In an era in which populist currents increase, the question arises whether this development is actually in the interest of the citizens or whether it is simply a counter -movement to the established parties. The CDU must now wonder how it can react to this rethink without losing its own electorate.

Signal of dissatisfaction: anger elections and felt alienation

The recent elections in Saxony and Thuringia can be seen as a kind of anger choice that is directed against the existing political system. This anger is not only shown in the votes, but also in the highlights of the turnout, which has increased compared to 2019. Almost three out of four voters have given their vote, which indicates increased commitment, but also to widespread dissatisfaction.

The clear voices against the established parties underline that a profound re -evaluation and possibly also a fresh start are necessary. In the meantime, the Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer tries to strengthen his position by distancing himself from the Berlin elites. His suggestions to “freeze” the Ukraine conflict and to set upper limits for asylum seekers show how important regional issues are, but which are often ignored by the federal level.

In the middle of this unrest, various organizations, such as churches and business associations, try to draw attention to the dangers of the AfD's rise through demonstrations. Despite the protests and the significant increase in activism, the AfD could not be stopped. In the days before the election, thousands of people in Dresden and Erfurt came together to demonstrate against right -wing extremism, but without any significant influence on the election result.

The scissors between supporters and opponents of the AfD continue to open. Party officials and Höcke use provocative slogans to mobilize their followers, while the other parties are difficult to maintain a dialogue. The polarization is clear: drifting into a deeper split could continue to poison the political discussion.

The SPD sees itself in a decisive phase, especially with the upcoming election in Brandenburg, which is not only the fate of the party, but also that of Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke. A failure here could lead to internal party questions about the management question and the direction that the SPD should take. General Secretary Kevin Kühnert has already indicated that dissatisfaction with the current political leadership in the new federal states is strong.

Overall, the conflicts and the uncertainties in the political landscape are now smoldering on various fronts. While the traffic light coalition has existed in Berlin to this day, its future is uncertain, and the pressure on all political actors is increasing to find innovative solutions. One thing is certain against the backdrop of a restless country: the upcoming weeks and months could be crucial for whether a new political era is ongoing or whether the current situation is paving the way for further turbulence.