Surprising Poll: AfD in First Place in Thuringia Election, Left Party Takes a Hit

As the state elections in Thuringia approach, a survey by Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk has put the AfD in first place ahead of the CDU and the Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) alliance. Despite being classified as right-wing extremist by the state Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the party’s top candidate Björn Höcke is currently at 28 percent, leading the CDU’s top candidate Mario Voigt at 23 percent. The BSW would reach 21 percent.

The Left Party of Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow is currently at eleven percent, leading a minority government in Thuringia with the SPD and Greens. The SPD is at seven percent and Greens are at four percent. If current trends continue, it looks like the FDP will have to leave the state parliament with less than three percent.

Compared to a previous survey conducted in March, the AfD has lost one percentage point while the CDU has gained three points. The BSW can improve by six points and all parties of the current state government have lost some points. Elections will be held on September 1st in Thuringia, followed by Brandenburg on September 22nd. Forming a government after these elections will be difficult as no coalition known in Germany would have a majority without both AfD and Left parties involved.