In a historic first for Pirna, the city located south-east of Dresden, a member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group, Lochner, has been appointed as the new mayor. Lochner, despite not being an official party member, outperformed his competitors in the election, including the CDU's Kathrin Dollinger-Knuth and Ralf Thiele from the Free Voters in the first round of voting.
Tino Chrupalla, the AfD's co-chairman, expressed confidence in Lochner, stating that he would represent the interests of the citizens of Pirna well. The Greens, however, voiced their concern over the election, given that the Saxon Office for the Protection of the Constitution had classified the AfD as a right-wing extremist party the previous week.
This classification led to increased scrutiny and opposition towards the AfD, particularly in light of its controversial nationalist and xenophobic ideologies. The Greens emphasized the need to promote democratic coexistence and restore trust in the wake of the election.
Despite the controversy, the election of Lochner and the AfD's prior victory in the Thuringian district of Sonneberg, led by Robert Sesselmann, highlights the party's growing influence in local politics. Lochner's term will span seven years, with a total of around 31,700 eligible voters participating in the election.
Thiele, Ralf Wätzig from the SPD and the Greens, and André Liebscher, an individual candidate, all decided not to run in the second round, paving the way for Dollinger-Knuth, who was supported by the Left Party, to trail behind Thiele in the second round of voting.
In response to the election, AfD chairwoman Alice Weidel thanked the voters on X, expressing optimism for the future. The victory in Pirna marks a significant milestone for the AfD, further solidifying its presence in German politics.
Insights:
- The court ruling classifying the AfD as a right-wing extremist organization in Saxony is impacting local politics, potentially setting a precedent for further restrictions on the party's activities.
- The classification has heightened public scrutiny and opposition to the AfD, affecting public perception of the party and its candidates in elections, such as the mayoral race in Pirna.
- The ongoing national debate about banning the AfD has complicated the electoral landscape for the party, potentially influencing their performance in local elections.
Bonus Fact: Pirna is famous for its almost completely preserved old town and its proximity to the Saxon Switzerland tourist region.
