Politics · Germany · 11 hrs ago
Eva von Angern considers challenging AfD candidate in state premier vote
AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund could face a rival in the vote for state premier of Saxony-Anhalt, a state in eastern Germany.
Left Party parliamentary leader Eva von Angern is considering running against him in the first round.
The AfD won the state election and has 39 seats in the new parliament.
A candidate needs 42 votes in the first or second round to win.
The Left, Social Democrats and Greens each have eight seats, but the parties would need to support von Angern together with the CDU and BSW for her to reach the threshold; that is considered unlikely.
Von Angern’s party will decide on Tuesday whether to put her forward.
The vote is expected at a parliament session on December 15, 16 or 17, and could become a direct contest between the two candidates.
Eva von Angern is considering running against AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund in the election for minister-president of Saxony-Anhalt.
Her Left Party faction is due to decide on the proposal at a meeting next Tuesday.
Siegmund’s AfD won the state election in September but fell short of an absolute majority.
The Left Party won 8.6 percent of the vote and came fifth.
The SPD and the BSW criticised von Angern’s possible candidacy, while saying an AfD minister-president should be prevented.
- Who
- Eva von Angern, leader of the Left Party faction in Saxony-Anhalt, is considering running against AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund.
- What
- She may stand as a rival candidate in the election for minister-president.
- When
- The election is expected at a state parliament session on December 15, 16 or 17. The Left Party faction is due to decide next Tuesday.
- Where
- Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
- Why
- Von Angern says the AfD stands for divisive, backward-looking politics and that the state needs more unity.
Eva von Angern and the Left Party
SPD and BSW critics
Purpose of a candidacy
Eva von Angern and the Left Party
Von Angern says the AfD stands for divisive, backward-looking politics and that the state needs an alternative.
SPD and BSW critics
The SPD says a proposal must be acceptable to all democratic forces; the BSW says the Left should focus on solution-oriented political work.
Political prospects
Eva von Angern and the Left Party
The Left Party is considering putting forward von Angern as its own candidate.
SPD and BSW critics
The SPD calls the announcement ill-timed, while the BSW questions the prospect of the Left Party providing a minister-president after winning 8.6 percent.
The Left Party won 8.6 percent in the Saxony-Anhalt state election and came fifth.
AfD candidate Tobias Rausch won the election for state parliament president.
Von Angern said her faction was considering putting forward its own candidate for minister-president.
The Left Party faction is due to decide whether to put forward von Angern.
The minister-president election is expected to take place during a state parliament session.
- AfD candidate
- Ulrich Siegmund
- Potential challenger
- Eva von Angern, Left Party faction leader
- Left Party election result
- 8.6 percent; fifth place
- AfD seats
- 39
- Absolute majority needed in first and second rounds
- 42 votes
- Expected election dates
- December 15, 16 or 17
4 sources
What people are saying
a real alternative in the form of our own candidate for the office of minister-president
The announcement by Eva von Angern sounds like a political ego trip at the worst possible time.
It is clear to us that everything must be done to prevent an AfD minister-president.
With 8.6 percent, wanting to provide a minister-president is at least an ambitious contribution to the political entertainment programme.