Political Balancing Act in Thuringia: CDU Leader Voigt Elected as Minister-President

In a surprising alliance, three parties in the East German state of Thuringia have collaborated to keep a victory by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in check. Mario Voigt, the leader of the Thuringian Christian Democrats, was elected Minister President with the votes of 51 of the 88 state parliament members. He assumes this position at a politically sensitive moment, as the state election next year could also influence the outcome of national talks, especially given the AfD's strong position in current polls. The rise of the AfD has fundamentally altered the political landscape, as it became the first far-right party since World War II to win a state election in Germany in September. Nonetheless, all other parties continue to consistently refuse any cooperation with the AfD, both regionally and nationwide. In Thuringia, the new coalition of the CDU, Social Democrats, and the populist Left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) collectively holds only 44 votes, which falls just short of the majority needed for Voigt's election. Support came unexpectedly from the opposition Left, which provided its votes in exchange for regular consultations on the new coalition's legislative agenda. This political balancing act underscores the challenges faced by moderate parties to maintain their influence in the country. Particularly, the BSW as a political partner causes tensions, as it opposes arms deliveries to Ukraine. This conflicts with the national positions of the CDU and SPD, which firmly stand behind Ukraine in its fight against Russia.