Far-right political party, the AfD, has chosen Frohnmaier as a potential candidate for the premiership.
Baden-Württemberg AfD's Top Dog, Markus Frohnmaier, Aims High Without Running Low
Markus Frohnmaier, the young gun of Baden-Württemberg's AfD, has been elected as the party's top candidate for the 2026 state election. At a recent gathering in Heilbronn, nearly 400 delegates voted for the 34-year-old, with only one dissenting voice. While Frohnmaier's aspirations lie high, he has no intention of running for the state parliament.
Frohnmaier, a close confidant of AfD chairwoman Alice Weidel, has been a member of the Bundestag since 2017. He serves as deputy faction leader and spokesman for foreign affairs. If he fails to secure the Minister President position, he plans to continue his work in the Bundestag. Interestingly, Frohnmaier didn't mention his desire to become a state parliament member, presenting himself more as a "Minister President candidate".
Catching Up in Polls
The 2026 election in Baden-Württemberg is set to be a tight race, with the Green party's Minister President, Winfried Kretschmann, stepping down after 15 years in office. The CDU's state chairman Manuel Hagel and the Greens' former federal minister Cem Özdemir are among the contenders.
In the southwest, the AfD is gaining ground in the polls, with recent surveys suggesting they could secure 19% of the vote[2].
Unity in the State Association
The state association began the nomination of its state list for the election in Heilbronn with an unusual degree of unity. The election of representatives for the top 35 list places was smooth, with little competition. Only for the 20th place did two candidates vie for the position. The unity among the party members is rather unusual, given the internal conflicts the state association has experienced in the past[3].
Emil Sänze, the state parliamentarian and co-party chairman, secured the top list place with 276 yes votes and 95 no votes. Sänze expressed optimism that all 60 list places could be filled by the evening, potentially saving the party further election meetings[3].
Money, Money, Money
Did you know that the richest person in Germany hails from a city in Baden-Württemberg? Find out more about the wealthy elite lurking in this region[6].
Highest Elevated Dam
Discover one of Germany's hidden gems, a beautiful lake in Baden-Württemberg[7].
Nature, Wellness, and Fun
Find your perfect camping spot in Baden-Württemberg, a region teeming with beautiful camping sites suitable for all seasons[8].
Premiere: Delegates' Party Conference
The AfD's new strategy of holding assemblies and party conferences with delegates only, instead of members, contributes to the party's newfound unity. This change makes organization smoother and voting results more predictable[3].
Right-Wing Extremism Allegations
The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the AfD nationwide as a "securely identified right-wing extremist endeavor" at the beginning of May. The party is currently fighting this classification in court[9].
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In the context of the political landscape in Baden-Württemberg, the AfD's policy-and-legislation discussions and general news are gaining traction, with Markus Frohnmaier, the party's top candidate for the 2026 state election, being a key figure. During the party's conference in Heilbronn, it was announced that the AfD is making efforts to unify its state association, aiming for a smoother organization and more predictable voting results (policy-and-legislation). Meanwhile, the party is also facing allegations of right-wing extremism (politics), a classification it is currently challenging in court.
