In this episode, Anja Maier and Malte Pieper look at the state elections in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg this year. The AfD is ahead in the polls in all three countries. Sahra Wagenknecht’s new party also has amazing results. Does the “Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance” have serious chances in the elections? Is there even government involvement? Maier and Pieper also talk about this with state correspondents Daniela Kahls in Dresden from MDR and Thomas Bittner from RBB in Potsdam. Both are skeptical about BSW’s participation in government. They explain why the party currently appears larger than it is. And how strong will the Free Voters become? In which state could they play a role?
Kahls and Bittner also play through what the AfD would immediately change in the three eastern German states if it came to power. The consequences for the media landscape and the economy would be significant, they say. Kahls even speaks of “economic turbulence.” Of course, Maier and Pieper, together with the state correspondents, also look at the governing parties and the incumbent prime ministers. What strategies do you have to keep the AfD out of power? While Dietmar Woidke in Brandenburg draws attention to his successes, Michael Kretschmer in Saxony is mainly busy complaining about politics in Berlin. Which strategy works better? Another topic in this episode are the revelations from the Correktiv platform about the “Potsdam secret meeting” and the demonstrations against right-wing extremism. Will they influence the state elections?
If you have any questions or suggestions for Anja Maier and Malte Pieper: write to wahlkreis-ost@mdr.de.