The critics of the planned staff office for democracy education have to accept a setback. According to a legal opinion “on constitutional questions regarding the reorganization of the control of the Berlin State Center for Civic Education,” the measures planned by the education administration are compatible with the Adult Education Act. The report was prepared by Winfried Kluth, an administrative lawyer at the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, on behalf of the Green Party.
The SPD parliamentary group in the state parliament extends its congratulations to Thadäus König on his election as the new state parliament president. Chairman Lutz Liebscher stated that the parliamentary group is firmly committed to supporting him. He also congratulated the three new vice presidents.
The Left parliamentary group in the state parliament also conveyed its congratulations to König. Chairman Christian Schaft noted that the new President of the State Parliament has an essential role as the guardian of the constitutional body of the State Parliament and as a moderator in challenging circumstances. He also congratulated the deputy presidents of the state parliament.
The AfD parliamentary group announced that it would nominate another candidate for the position of State Parliament Vice President at the next available opportunity. The AfD’s parliamentary director, Braga, expressed disappointment to MDR THÜRINGEN after the state parliament session that MP Muhsal was not elected for the position, stating she is a qualified candidate and that the reasons for her rejection are not credible.
The 38-year-old is politically contentious, partly because she was previously fined for fraud. Consequently, her candidacy was viewed as a provocation by other factions. Muhsal can theoretically run in a second round. Braga indicated that the AfD parliamentary group would present a nomination at the next opportunity.
After the decision on the formation of committees, the agenda is processed. König thanked the MPs for “today’s constructive meeting” and adjourned the session.
König proposed a 20-minute lunch break, but this did not receive majority support, and the session continued. Following a vote on the number of members of the Council of Elders in the last few minutes, the election verification committee, the petitions committee, and the European Committee still need to be established and filled.
The state parliament elected secretaries from among the parliamentary groups. The political groups have the right to propose representatives according to their size. The nominations were voted on by a show of hands. The proposed candidates received votes only from their respective parliamentary groups, while opposing groups did not participate in the voting. Based on the vote, the AfD can have seven secretaries, the CDU five, the BSW three, the Left two, and the SPD one.
Here are the results of the vice presidential election:
Wiebke Muhsal (AfD): 32 yes, 41 no, 14 abstentions
The MP did not receive a majority of votes. State Parliament President König inquired whether the AfD parliamentary group wanted to repeat the election with candidate Muhsal, but Deputy Braga declined on behalf of the group, stating: “Not for today.” The group reserves the right to request a repeat election in a future state parliament session.
Steffen Quasebarth (BSW): 59 yes, 12 no, 15 abstentions
Quasebarth stated that he accepts the election.
Lena Sanye Güngör (The Left): 46 yes, 34 no, 6 abstentions
Sanye Güngör declared that she accepts the election.
Cornelia Urban (SPD): 63 yes, 14 no, 9 abstentions
Urban announced that she accepts the election.
Voting for the vice presidential election has concluded, and the votes are now being counted.
The DGB Hesse-Thuringia welcomed König’s election, calling it a positive sign that a representative of the workforce within the CDU is assuming this important role as the representative of the highest constitutional body in Thuringia, according to Michael Rudolph, chairman of the DGB Hesse-Thuringia.
Thuringia’s CDU leader, Mario Voigt, referred to the newly elected state parliament president Thadäus König as the “Citizen President” for Thuringia. He emphasized that during a time when parliament faces significant challenges, it is crucial to have a state parliament president who can mediate, build bridges, and advocate for democratic values.
The election of the vice presidents is now underway. Proposed candidates from the parliamentary groups include:
As a new ballot paper must be printed including Muhsal’s name, the meeting is adjourned for 15 minutes. The CDU is not submitting a nomination as it is currently providing the president of the state parliament.
König expressed his sincere gratitude for the trust placed in him by the majority during the election as President of the State Parliament. He described it as a pleasure and an honor to serve as the President of the Thuringian State Parliament for the next five years. He approaches the role with humility and respect for the challenges that lie ahead. He thanked his predecessors, noting their service for the benefit of the Free State of Thuringia, specifically mentioning Birgit Pommer (The Left) and Christian Carius (CDU). He remarked that Carius’s departure from the state parliament several years ago allowed him, König, to step in as the successor to the CDU parliamentary group. He emphasized that the President’s role is to facilitate and encourage discussion in Parliament while ensuring order and fairness during debates.
The SPD parliamentary group in the state parliament congratulates the new state parliament president, Thadäus König, on his election. Chairman Lutz Liebscher stated that the parliamentary group expressly assured him of its support. He also congratulated the three new vice presidents.
The Left parliamentary group in the state parliament expressed their congratulations as well. Chairman Christian Schaft announced that the new President of the State Parliament would have an important task as a guardian of the constitutional body of the State Parliament and as a moderator under difficult conditions. Congratulations also went to the deputy presidents of the state parliament.
The AfD parliamentary group announced that it would make another nomination for the office of State Parliament Vice President at the next opportunity. The parliamentary director of the AfD, Braga, expressed disappointment that MP Wiebke Muhsal was not elected for the office. He stated she is a suitable candidate, and the reasons for her rejection are not plausible.
Wiebke Muhsal is politically controversial and has a checkered past, including a sentence for fraud a few years ago. This context led the other factions to perceive her personnel proposal as a provocation. Muhsal can theoretically run again in a second round; Braga stated that the AfD parliamentary group would submit an election proposal at the next opportunity.
After the formation of the committees was confirmed, the agenda was processed. König thanked the MPs for “today’s constructive meeting” before closing the session.
König suggested a 20-minute lunch break, which did not receive a majority. The session continued with voting on the number of members of the Council of Elders, followed by the election verification committee, the petitions committee, and the European Committee to be formed and filled.
The state parliament elected secretaries from the parliamentary groups. The political groups have the right to propose representatives depending on their strength, with nominations voted on by a show of hands. Here’s the breakdown of the proposed secretaries:
| Party | Number of Secretaries |
|---|---|
| AfD | 7 |
| CDU | 5 |
| BSW | 3 |
| The Left | 2 |
| SPD | 1 |
Here are the results of the election of the vice presidents:
The MP did not receive a majority of votes. Président König asked the AfD parliamentary group if they would like the election to be repeated with Muhsal as the candidate. Deputy Braga denied this saying, “Not for today,” thus reserving the right to request a repeat of the election in a later session.
Quasebarth declared that he accepts the election.
Sanye Güngör declared that she accepts the election.
Urban declared that she accepts the election.
Voting for the vice presidential election has ended, and the votes are now being counted.
The DGB Hesse-Thuringia welcomed König’s election as an encouraging sign that a representative of the workforce in the CDU is taking on the role of the highest constitutional body in Thuringia. Michael Rudolph, chairman of the DGB Hesse-Thuringia, commented positively on this development.
Thuringia’s CDU leader Mario Voigt lauded the newly elected state parliament president, Thadäus König, referring to him as the “Citizen President” for Thuringia. In times of significant challenges, it’s crucial for Thuringia to have a president who can mediate, build bridges, and uphold democratic values.
The election of the vice presidents commenced, following proposals from the parliamentary groups:
As a new ballot paper must be prepared with Muhsal’s name, a 15-minute adjournment was called. The CDU did not submit an election proposal because it was already providing the president of the state parliament.
In his inaugural speech, König expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the majority during the presidential election. He stated, “It would be a pleasure and an honor” to serve as President of the Thuringian State Parliament for the next five years. He accepted the role with humility and respect, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.
Economic growth in the state is surpassing the national average, while the unemployment rate is lower than it. “People may not compare the statistics directly; instead, they perceive significant changes and are affected by the increasingly tumultuous national political discussions,” explains Grimm. “The AfD is exploiting this uncertainty and suggesting to individuals that their proposed solutions could quickly alleviate their concerns.” However, the reality is quite the opposite.
Marcel Fratscher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), also alerts to the potential impacts of a strong AfD presence on the economy. He stated in the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” that the party’s success is “extremely detrimental to the economy.” Fratscher illustrates a “vicious cycle”: locations with particularly high support for the far-right party often witness skilled workers and businesses relocating. “As a result, the frustration of those who remain increases.” The AfD, in turn, benefits from this situation.
9:14 am: In the town of Golßen-Zützen, the AfD’s leading candidate, Hans-Christoph Berndt, cast his vote. Berndt perceives a potential election victory for his party as a “clear sign of hope.” He expressed that if the AfD continues to strengthen, “Germany will improve again,” after casting his vote. More information about the politician can be found here.
“We are stronger than we were in 2019,” Berndt asserted. He believes that the fate of Brandenburg will not be determined by a single election but rather over the coming years. His party is gaining increasing support, which gives him confidence, he stated.
8:00 am: Voting has begun at the polling stations. Approximately 2.1 million individuals in the eastern German state are eligible to participate. Typically, 88 seats are available in the Potsdam state parliament, but if there are a significant number of overhang and compensatory mandates, the number can rise to as many as 110 mandates.
Eastern Germany, particularly states like Brandenburg, is witnessing an economic growth rate that exceeds the national average. The reasons for this robust growth might be manifold, but it’s important to examine how political dynamics intersect with economic metrics. As noted by experts, the unemployment rate here remains below the national average, contributing positively to the economic outlook.
Political uncertainty has increasingly colored public perception regarding economic conditions. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has positioned itself as a voice of dissent and change amidst these uncertainties. Grimm notes that the AfD leverages public apprehension by promoting its policies as quick fixes to the challenges faced by constituents. However, the effectiveness of these measures is debatable and often questioned by economic analysts.
Marcel Fratscher, the president of the Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW), has expressed concerns about the potential ramifications of a strong AfD presence in politics. He articulates the idea of a “vicious circle” where support for the AfD leads to an exodus of skilled workers and businesses. The perception that these workers are seeking better opportunities deeply intertwines with the political landscape, thus influencing overall economic health.
9.14 am: In a recent voting event in Golßen-Zützen, Hans-Christoph Berndt, the AfD’s top candidate, expressed optimism about his party’s potential electoral success. “A victory for the AfD would be a clear sign of hope,” he remarked, suggesting that with continued support, Germany’s path could improve.
Berndt emphasized that the party is stronger than in previous years, hinting that the outcomes of individual elections contribute to a broader political narrative. His sentiment underscores a growing base of support which he believes may foster beneficial changes in the long run.
8 o’clock: As polling stations opened, approximately 2.1 million residents in Eastern Germany had the chance to cast their votes. The Potsdam state parliament typically offers 88 seats, with the possibility of extending to 110 seats due to overhang and compensatory mandates. Voter turnout is critical for these elections, and the political attitudes of the populace will greatly influence future economic policies.
The political atmosphere, marked by polarizing debates and fluctuating public sentiment toward parties like the AfD, can have significant implications for economic stability. Areas supporting right-wing parties often experience challenges such as:
| Region | Political Landscape | Economic Impact | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandenburg | Increased AfD Support | Slow economic growth | Potential brain drain |
| Saxony | Political Polarization | Investment decline | Businesses reluctant to expand |
| Thuringia | Rising Populism | Job market stagnation | Young talent moving away |
As a business owner or investor in Eastern Germany, understanding the interplay between political developments and economic dynamics is crucial. Here are some practical tips to navigate this landscape:
Local entrepreneurs feel the impact of political dynamics differently. Several business owners have shared how they adapt to the shifting sands of public sentiment:
One café owner noted, “Since the rise of the AfD, I’ve seen more customers express their opinions openly, which sometimes leads to heated discussions. However, my focus is on providing a welcoming environment that encourages dialogue rather than division.”
Another entrepreneur stated, “Our business relies on a diverse workforce, and political narratives about immigration have made hiring difficult. We actively work to create a culture that values inclusion.”
The plans to overthrow the Bremen Parliament have failed.
The CDU wanted to vote no confidence in Education Senator Sascha Karolin Aulepp (53, SPD) from office. On Monday morning, the citizens’ assembly met for a special session in the town hall – but the majority of SPD, Greens and Left Party withstood the test.
CDU parliamentary group leader Frank Imhoff (55) listed the main problems of Bremen’s education system: poor performance of the smallest federal state in educational studies, poor German language skills among many students, lack of skilled workers in daycare centers and schools, high rates of school dropouts.
The Education Senator bears responsibility for this, said Imhoff. “We no longer believe in a turnaround in the education department, at least not with your leadership.”
Most recently, Aulepp imposed a budget freeze in her department – five weeks after the budget was passed. Imhoff: “There is chaos, particularly in the budget issue and in the financial area.” The annual budget for energy costs had already been used up after just six months.
Bremen’s mayor Andreas Bovenschulte (59, SPD) criticized the vote of no confidence as “unfounded in every respect.” The budget freeze in particular is a sign of responsible action. “Of course, no schoolchild has to stay at home because of this, and not a single daycare place will be canceled or not created because of this. Not a single teacher will be hired less,” emphasized Bovenschulte.
The Bremen Parliament voted on Monday against the expulsion of Education Senator Sascha Aulepp (SPD)
Photo: Lars Penning/dpa
The education senator has a “Herculean task” to accomplish, said the mayor. There are 6,000 more children living in Bremen than just a few years ago, and daycare and school care must be massively expanded. “Under these extremely difficult conditions, education senator Sascha Aulepp is extremely committed to the interests of our children,” said Bovenschulte.
In the end, the motion was rejected by 46 out of 85 votes. 36 MPs voted for Aulepp’s departure, three abstained. FDP and Alliance Germany supported the CDU’s motion of no confidence. However, together they do not have a majority.
