Title: A Fresh Victory for AfD: Lochner Wins Mayoral Election in Pirna, Saxony
In the heart of Saxony, a significant shift has happened in the political landscape. Tim Lochner, a carpenter and a member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group in the city council, has made history by clinching the mayor's position in Pirna, marking the first time that the AfD has taken on this role in the region. Lochner, who was previously defeated in the 2017 mayoral election, triumphed in the recent election, breaking the traditional party dominance in Pirna.
Initially, none of the five candidates in the November 26 election achieved the required absolute majority, necessitating a second round of voting. Lochner earned the most votes in the first round with a little under 33%. Ralf Thiele from the Free Voters came in second with approximately 23%, while CDU candidate Kathrin Dollinger-Knuth followed closely behind with around 20%.
Two defeated candidates — André Liebscher and Ralf Wätzig, who had the backing of the SPD and the Greens — chose not to contest the second round. Dollinger-Knuth, the CDU's candidate, with Left Party support, finished second in the second round with 31.39%, while Thiele secured 30.08%. The voter turnout was an impressive 53.8% in the second round, compared to 50.38% in the first round.
This groundbreaking victory of Lochner in Pirna has set a new milestone for the AfD in Saxony. While Lochner is a member of the AfD's parliamentary group, he is not an official party member. His journey to mayoral triumph is another testament to the evolving political dynamics in Germany.
Enrichment Insight:
Before Lochner's victory in Pirna, the AfD had not secured a mayoral position in a city with more than 20,000 inhabitants in Saxony. This marks an important shift in the political landscape, potentially signaling a broader shift in support for the AfD in German politics.
