Far-right AfD leads Thuringia polls with radical reform plans ahead of election
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is leading in the polls with 42 percent support ahead of Thuringia’s state election on 6 September. This puts the party well ahead of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which currently sits at 24 percent. The AfD has already outlined sweeping changes if it takes power, including replacing senior officials across the state administration.
AfD’s top candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, plans to replace ministers, state secretaries, and senior civil servants if his party wins the election. The overhaul would extend to around 150 to 200 positions, including roles in state-owned companies. Siegmund claims many department and division heads within the ministries already sympathise with the AfD.
The party also intends to abolish the state energy agency entirely. Siegmund stated that the AfD extends its hand to everyone, regardless of political affiliation. However, he warned that the party would take action if attempts were made to obstruct their work. Meanwhile, the CDU, Social Democratic Party (SPD), and Left Party combined would narrowly surpass the AfD by just one percentage point. These three parties have signalled plans to form a new government without AfD involvement.
With less than four months until the election, the AfD’s strong polling position suggests major shifts in Thuringia’s political landscape. If elected, the party’s proposed changes would reshape key areas of the state administration and energy policy. The CDU-led coalition, however, remains determined to block the AfD’s path to power.
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