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Thuringia election: Erfurt in chaos – Ramelow against new elections

  • ofKatja Thorwarth

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  • Jakob Maurer

    Jakob Maurer

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After the election chaos in Thuringia, it is still unclear how to proceed. Ex-Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow has a clear idea of ​​this. The ticker.

  • In Thuringia has been Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) with the votes of the AfD to the Prime Minister chosen
  • Kemmerich does not appear as prime minister of Thuringia back
  • The FDP Board party leader Christian Lindner confirmed in office on Friday
  • Poll shows that CDU at new election would have to reckon with heavy losses

>>> Update ticker <<<

Update, 07.02.2020, 9:59 p.m .: After the debacle about Prime Minister election ex-prime minister is in Thuringia Bodo Ramelow (Left) pronounced against immediate new elections. Such a step would be “negligent” because Thuringia could be without government for a long time, said Ramelow in an interview with the MDR. The left politician instead pleads for a new prime minister election – in which he himself wants to run again.

His successor Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) asked Ramelow to quickly get the confidence vote to deliver. Kemmerich would fail, Ramelow predicted. Three days later, he could then be put into office in a new election by the state parliament. Despite all the disappointment about the events of the past few days, he also advertises to Kemmerich and the CDU country chief Mike Mohring for an orderly transition. “I am ready to reach out to everyone,” said Ramelow.

“If we do not stand together and defend democracy, then the AfD leaders and this person, Mr. Höcke, whom you can legally call fascist, will show us,” he said, referring to the Thuringian AfD leaderBjorn Höcke, One should not allow “that in the country where we had Buchenwald and Dora, in which the Auschwitz incinerators were built”, the period from 1933 to 1945 “should be disposed of as scraps of birds”. Ramelow thus alluded to a statement by the AfD parliamentary group leader Alexander Gauland, who repeatedly made contemptuous statements about the German culture of remembrance and described the era of National Socialism as “bird shit” in German history.

Election scandal in Thuringia: “Nasty, disgusting game” by the AfD

Ramelow said in the MDR that he hadn’t expected the AfD to be fair in advance. “But I trusted the FDP not to cross the red line when it sets up Mr. Kemmerich,” he added. His expectation was that Kemmerich would not accept it in the event of an election made possible by AfD votes. He condemned the AfD’s approach as “disgusting, disgusting game”.

Update, 07.02.2020, 6.50 p.m .: In the SPD there is widespread resistance to the advance of CDU chief Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer from. The SPD state chair in Thuringia, Wolfgang Tiefensee, calls the CDU’s call for a candidate from the SPD or the Greens for the post of prime minister as an “unsuccessful attempt to drive a split mushroom into the ranks of red, red and green”. He pleads for new elections to be held immediately, as the situation in the Free State has changed drastically – the citizens would therefore have to go to the poll again. Also the chairman of the federal SPD, Norbert Walter-Borjans, demands in Düsseldorf from Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer: “Clear the way for new elections, do not try to secure power in any other way.” The SPD would not send a candidate for the post of prime minister into the race in Thuringia.

“Don’t try to use games to secure power in another way,” said Walter-Borjans to the CDU at a conference of the NRW-SPD. Walter-Borjans called Kramp-Karrenbauer’s attempt to set up an SPD candidate in Erfurt a “poisoned proposal”. Before the Düsseldorf conference, Walter-Borjans’ had also co-chaired Saskia Esken described the CDU proposal for a compromise candidate as “out of touch”.

Election chaos in Thuringia: Council of Elders should decide

Walter-Borjans went on to say that with the election of the prime minister in Thuringia, Kramp-Karrenbauer and FDP leader Christian Lindner “out of cold power calculations revealed the most vulnerable position that our democracy has: the demarcation from right-wing extremists and fascists”. Esken accused the CDU and FDP of oblivion to history. The SPD has pushed through a coalition committee in Berlin this Saturday.

Update, 07.02.2020, 5.48 p.m .: Because Thuringia currently no ministers Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister of the Interior, Hans-Joachim Grote (CDU), is temporarily the Chair of the Interior Ministers’ Conference (IMK) take over. According to the spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Steve Alter, said on Friday that the IMK events are still planned for logistical reasons Thuringia occur. The business of the ministries in Thuringia are controlled by the respective State Secretaries guided. However, the IMK presidency must be led by a minister.

Update, 07.02.2020, 4.42 p.m .: The state president in Thuringia, Birgit Keller (left), has the statements of the controversial Prime Minister Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) approved. Kemmerich had given to understand that he was not against a handover in February. Keller has complied with his request to convene the Council of Elders, reports the German Press Agency. The panel is scheduled to meet on February 18. “If the Prime Minister announces his resignation afterwards, it is possible to convene Parliament the week after and you will see how the political groups decide,” said Keller. Then the way should be clear for a new prime ministerial election.

The Federal Council will meet on Friday next week (February 14, 2020). A spokesman for the Thuringian FDP faction announced that it was possible that Thomas Kemmerich would represent Thuringia as head of government.

Thuringia: Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) does not resign immediately

Update, 07.02.2020, 3.40 p.m .: Now has too Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) reported in Erfurt. In coordination with the state parliament presidency in Thuringia, he decided that an immediate resignation was not necessary. The lawyers of the state chancellery and the state administration agreed on this. At least one member of the government must remain in office so that the ability to act is retained. As Prime Minister without a cabinet, he is currently the only member of the government. Kemmerich wants to present a roadmap that shows a constitutional way to take office. Previously, he had already announced on Friday that he wanted to forego his salary as Prime Minister of Thuringia. However, it is not clear whether a waiver is possible at all.

Update, 07.02.2020, 3.15 p.m .: After the FDP board expressed his confidence, the party leader decided Christian Lindner in Berlin for Election fiasco in Thuringia said: “We are responsible for the situation in Thuringia and the debate in Germany and we also take responsibility for it.” It was a mistake to put a candidate in the third ballot. He himself had succumbed to a misjudgment regarding the AfD. “This misjudgment must not be repeated,” Lindner clarified. There should be no cooperation of any kind with the AfD.

Now the FDP in Thuringia in the person of Thomas Kemmerich took the initiative to dissolve the state parliament and clear the way for new elections in Thuringia. When asked about Kemmerich’s political future, Lindner replied that Kemmerich had corrected his mistake and thus defended his integrity.

After the prime minister election in Thuringia – FDP

© picture alliance / dpa

Update, 07.02.2020, 3.10 p.m .: The party leader Christian Lindner has expressed confidence with a clear majority after his crisis deployment in Thuringia. The German Press Agency in Berlin learned that. Lindner received 33 votes in favor and 36 votes against and 36 against. Two present had abstained. Christian Lindner has not yet commented on the decision.

Thuringia: FDP chief Christian Lindner confirmed in office

Update, 07.02.2020, 2:59 p.m .: Thuringia’s CDU leader Mike Mohring said in Berlin: “I warned of the tsunami.” He had already decided months before the election of the prime minister in Thuringia against running for office because he feared what would happen on Wednesday in Case of Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) has occurred: That a non-AfD candidate is elected with votes from the group of Björn Höcke. Despite his decision, there were several self-applications from the ranks of the CDU parliamentary group shortly before the election on Wednesday. But Mohring and the leadership of the CDU did not allow them. Astonishing: In the end, however, that did not prevent her from falling into the alleged case of the AfD.

Update, 07.02.2020, 2.35 p.m .: The FDP board had scheduled two hours for its meeting in Berlin, which started at 12 noon. Party leader Christian Lindner poses the question of trust there. At half past two there is still no statement – there seems to be a lot to be said. His appearance is now expected at 3 p.m.

Update, 07.02.2020, 1.55 p.m .: Mike Mohring (CDU) gives up his post as parliamentary leader. What was already apparent on Friday morning is now official. “At the end of May, the CDU parliamentary group agreed on new elections to the parliamentary group board,” wrote CDU Thuringia’s general secretary Raymond Walk, now on Twitter. “Mike Mohring will not compete again.”

Update, 07.02.2020, 1:11 p.m .: After the crisis meeting, CDU chief Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer confirmed that there should be no cooperation with the AfD either in the federal government or in the state. In her statement in Berlin, she said that Mike Mohring, CDU state chairman in Thuringia, had announced his retirement by 1 a.m. last night. Until then, she had attended the CDU meeting in Erfurt. After that, there seems to have been a rethink at Mohring, because so far he has left his political future open – there has not yet been a resignation as CDU country chief. The only thing that could be heard from parliamentary groups was that he wanted to give up his post as parliamentary group leader in May. According to the MDR, this now also leads to an “open uprising” by CDU MPs in Thuringia against Mohring.

In her statement, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer made the SPD responsible. In the coalition committee on Saturday they should work on solutions to the tricky situation in Thuringia. The CDU leader is betting that the Greens or SPD will nominate a candidate for the office of prime minister. She hopes for a candidate who “does not split the country, but unites.” Hopes could be placed on SPD head Wolfgang Tiefensee. Bodo Ramelow (left) will not receive any votes from the CDU – and therefore cannot continue to rely on a majority.

Election fiasco in Thuringia: FDP in Hamburg feels headwind

Update, 07.02.2020, 12.05 p.m .: The CDU is currently in focus – but outside of Thuringia the FDP, too, must expect consequences from the election fiasco surrounding the controversial Prime Minister Thomas Kemmerich. The party could already feel this in the general election in Hamburg in just over two weeks. Posters of the FDP are currently “excessively damaged,” said a spokesman for the party on Friday of the German Press Agency. There are also party withdrawals.

For Friday evening, the left and the youth organizations of the SPD and Greens in Hamburg have called for a large-scale demonstration in response to the breaking of the taboo by the CDU and FDP. Meanwhile, Kemmerich has still not submitted his resignation. Outrage remains high in Thuringia as well: A demonstration has also been announced for the afternoon in Erfurt.

Thuringia: Survey predicts debacle for CDU

Update, 07.02.2020, 10.55 a.m .: A first poll in Thuringia shows what could follow the election fiasco surrounding Thomas Kemmerich (FDP). According to a Forsa survey, the CDU would lose almost ten percentage points compared to the state parliament election last October if new elections were to take place. The Christian Democrats would slide from 21.7 to 12 percent. The poll was for that RTL / n-tv-Trendbarometer carried out. The CDU must avoid new elections in Thuringia at all costs. That could be an explanation for the new turn.

The survey also shows that the FDP would only reach four percent and would no longer make it into the state parliament. According to the survey results, the left could benefit, which would reach a plus of six percentage points. The AfD, on the other hand, would not be a big winner: it could only expect a slight increase of 0.6 percentage points.

Update, 07.02.2020, 10.40 a.m .: The CDU Presidium meets in Berlin for a crisis meeting. Before the meeting, Mike Mohring, CDU chief in Thuringia, defended the rejection of new elections. In addition, the CDU party chairwoman Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer had been persuaded by the regional group at a meeting well into the previous night. In Berlin, Mohring argued that new elections would not solve the difficult political situation in Thuringia, since the situation could then be the same. In his statement, he also criticized “coercive measures” that the federal CDU had threatened.

Thuringia: CDU chief Mike Mohring in a faction under pressure

Update, 07.02.2020, 9.28 a.m .: Mike Mohring (CDU) will take action after the electoral debacle in Thuringia and vacate his position as CDU parliamentary group leader in Thuringia in May. The MDR reports this with reference to informed circles. Mohring therefore no longer has any backing in the Thuringian CDU parliamentary group. However, he was confirmed as party chairman last night.

And Secretary General Raymond Walk also spoke about the voting behavior of the Thuringia CDU in the new election of the state parliament. So he promises red-red-green vis-à-vis the MDR. One will abstain from a corresponding vote.

Thuringia: Union of values ​​wants to prevent Ramelow from being re-elected

Update, 07.02.2020, 08.25 a.m .: After the controversial Prime Minister election in Thuringia, the Union of Values, an association of conservative Christian Democrats, argues for a government of experts under Thomas Kemmerich (FDP). He would propose such a government, said Value Union leader Alexander Mitsch on Friday on Deutschlandfunk. “Maybe a non-partisan. We have had this in Austria before, until a solution is found. “

New elections would not solve the problem, but would strengthen the political margins. Mitsch rejected a possible re-election of Bodo Ramelow (left) while abstaining from the CDU. He would think it wrong if the CDU in the Thuringian state parliament “is ultimately put under pressure, according to the motto, if you don’t, then there must be new elections”.

Thuringia: CDU boss Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer gives way in Erfurt

Update, 07.02.2020, 6 a.m .: CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer gives the Thuringian CDU some time after the uproar in the prime minister election to find a way out of the crisis in a parliamentary way and thus without a new election. Should the parliamentary possibilities not work, but a new election is inevitable, it made clear on Friday night after five hours of crisis talks in Erfurt. Now bet on that Kemmerich raises the question of trust and the party does not oppose the re-election of the former prime minister Bodo Ramelow will put.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, CDU chairwoman, on the way to the meeting of the CDU parliamentary group in Thuringia.

© Bodo Schackow / dpa

The political future of CDU state party and faction leader Mike Mohring is open – according to information from informed circles, he no longer has any support in his parliamentary group. According to it, it is planned that there will be elections for the parliamentary group presidency in May, according to a parliamentary group meeting in the early morning hours on Friday. The CDU state board had previously expressed his trust.

It will be exciting to see how Kramp-Karrenbauer with her Erfurt discussion results will arrive at the CDU Presidium in Berlin on Friday. At her initiative, that had recommended immediate re-election. The CDU leader now seems to have moved away from this.

Lindner too under pressure

After Kemmerich’s election with AfD votes, FDP leader Lindner is also under massive pressure inside the party. He announced that he would ask the question of trust at a special meeting of the Federal Executive Board this Friday. When asked whether he had been forced to make his statement, Kemmerich said: “Nobody forced us.” Lindner had made it clear, however, that he could not remain Federal Chairman if a party structure was dependent on the AfD.

The FDP Thuringia Group wants to apply for the dissolution of the state parliament to bring about a new election. Mohring wanted to avoid a new election of the state parliament. The incumbent prime minister could ask the question of trust in the state parliament and enable the election of a successor, he wrote on Twitter. The previous Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow is still available as a candidate, as the deputy head of the Thuringian Left, Steffen Dittes, said.

Update, 06.02.2020, 10:27 p.m .: Left, SPD and Greens in Thuringia have a Prime Minister Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) ultimatum set for a resignation. Top representatives of the three parties asked Kemmerich on Thursday evening to resign until Sunday. The Embassy was: “Resignation – and a statement by the end of Sunday,” said Thuringia’s SPD boss Wolfgang Tiefensee in Erfurt.

Update, February 6th, 2020, 9:35 pm: Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has clearly opposed nationalism and anti-democratic currents pronounced. He did not address recent events in Thuringia – but many of his statements can be understood in this context.

Election in Thuringia: Steinmeier’s clear message

“I expect that elected parliamentarians, 75 years after the end of the Nazi regime, their special responsibility for ours democracy and perceive a humane society, ”said Steinmeier at a“ home evening ”in Berlin. The cultural evening in Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the Federal President, was mainly performed by artists with a migration background.

The worry of that discrimination and racism spread further in Germany, he could understand. “How should it not be when the poison of nationalism begins to seep back into our debates, when popular thinking becomes socially acceptable again, when the democratic consensus against anti-democrats becomes fragile,” said the Federal President.

Steinmeier appealed to society and politics to oppose this. “We all have to approach each other, we have to endure that we are different, sometimes very different, that we come from different countries, that we have different lifestyles, religions and characteristics,” the 64-year-old continued. One should not withdraw more and more into one’s own echo chambers.

Election in Thuringia: Mohring and Kemmerich are given confidence

Update, February 6th, 2020, 8:12 pm: After the scandal surrounding the election of the prime minister in Thuringia, three Thuringian CDU district councilors have called for the resignation of state party and faction leader Mike Mohring. According to information from the German Press Agency, these are Martina Schweinsburg (Greiz district), Andreas Heller (Saale-Holz-Land district) and Reinhard Krebs (Wartburg district). Cancer confirmed this information from CDU circles. Schweinsburg delivered the message to Mohring on behalf of the three local politicians, he told the dpa.

The CDU Regional Executive on the other hand, Mohring expressed confidence on Thursday, according to the party’s general secretary of the party, Raymond Walk. There he was confirmed with 12 yes to 2 no votes as chairman.

Even with the Liberals There will probably be no personnel changes in Thuringia: The Thuringian FDP-Council spoke Thomas Kemmeric
H his trust, as the party announced.

Update, February 6th, 2020, 7:02 pm: Getting new elections in Thuringia is not that easy. Even if the FDP would make such an application and if Red-Red-Green closed for that, that’s not enough for the required Two-thirds majority,

The AFD has already signaled that it does not want new elections. The union has so far been divided. While the federal party and virtually all leading politicians from the CDU and CSU have now spoken out in favor of a new ballot, the state party continues to oppose it.

Election in Thuringia: Disappointed Ramelow would run for new elections

Party leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer reportedly wants to go to the press with Thuringia’s country chief Mike Mohring in the evening. You can look forward to this positioning. Ex-Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow would be available again in the case of new elections: “I am ready to throw my hat back into the ring.”

Update, 06.02.2020, 5.25 p.m .:
Bodo Ramelow (Left), former head of government of Thuringia, makes serious accusations to the FDP and CDU. In an interview with the news magazine “Spiegel” he said: “I am from Thomas Kemmerich, the CDU state chairman Mike Mohring and deeply disappointed human beings because they would rather rule with fascists than not rule. ”

The poll he think is planned in advance. It was all planned, he had become part of a disgusting game. “I made a fool of myself because I thought I was talking to Democrats,” said Ramelow in “mirror“-Interview.

When choosing his successor Thomas Kemmerich (FDP), he had tears in his eyes at the time of the decision. He had fallen into a “shock of shock”. “When it was clear that the AFDCandidate got zero votes, it fell like scales from my eyes: it was all planned. This candidate was just a useful idiot on the chess board. The moment of knowledge was the bitterest for me, ”said the 63-year-old.

Election in Thuringia: “They weren’t just some confused conservatives”

He later ordered moving boxes, hung the pictures in his office and took everything he owned. “I gave the key to the state chancellery against a receipt.”

When asked whether there could still be talks between the political camps in Thuringia in the future, Ramelow replied: “What kind of thread should you find there? The most popular prime minister was voted out with the help of fascists. They weren’t some confused conservatives. ”

The Thuringian state administration has not yet received a resignation from Ramelow’s successor, Thomas Kemmerich (FDP), until Thursday afternoon. According to a state spokesman, the 54-year-old is still in office.

Thuringia: Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) resigns as Prime Minister

Update, February 6th, 2020, 4:50 pm: Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) could receive more than 90,000 euros for his term as Prime Minister in Thuringia. This is now reported by the “RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland” (RND) with reference to the Ministry of Finance in Thuringia. The basic salary for a prime minister in Thuringia is around 16,000 euros gross per month. However, the law stipulates a minimum term of six months – hence the 90,000 euros.

Update, 06.02.2020, 4.30 p.m .: Even if Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) has now announced his withdrawal – how things will continue in the state parliament of Thuringia is unclear. A two-thirds majority is required to dissolve the state parliament. 60 of the 90 MPs would have to vote for it. But as the earthquake election on Wednesday showed, majorities in Thuringia are in short supply. The Green Group has already announced that it will not vote in favor of dissolution. They favor a constructive vote of no confidence and Bodo Ramelow (left) as Prime Minister. In this case, new elections would not be necessary.

Update, February 6th, 2020, 4:05 pm: The federal CDU has now also commented on possible new elections in Thuringia. The resignation decision of Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) is “correct, but overdue,” said CDU general secretary Paul Ziemiak on Thursday in Berlin. In a short statement, he said: “Thuringia now needs a fresh start.” New elections are the only way to do this. At a special meeting of the party presidium, the further procedure is to be discussed on Friday. However, it is still unclear how the CDU regional group from Thuringia will do

Christian Lindner: FDP chief asked a question of trust on Friday

Update, 06.02.2020, 3.40 p.m .: A look at the history of the Federal Republic shows: Thomas Kemmerich’s term as Prime Minister of Thuringia could be the shortest to date. Almost 25 hours after taking office, he announced his resignation today. So far, the Berlin SPD politician Hans-Jochen Vogel has had the shortest term of office: as governing mayor, he had held office in Berlin from January to June 1981.

Update, 06.02.2020, 3.15 p.m .: After the events in Thuringia, Christian Lindner has called a special meeting of the FDP board for tomorrow and wants to ask the question of trust there. He just announced that in Erfurt. He thanked Thomas Kemmerich “for making the tough and necessary decision to resign.” This freed him from dependence on the AfD. He had been in contact with Kemmerich in the days before the election. At no time was Kemmerich’s intention recognizable that he had sought the post of prime minister in Thuringia.

He also calls on the CDU to follow the example of the FDP in Thuringia and to clear the way for new elections. “We now expect the same from the Union and its chairman Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer,” he said in Erfurt. The Thuringian electorate should be able to reassess the situation.

Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) resigns.

© AFP

Update, 06.02.2020, 2.45 p.m .: After Thomas Kemmerich has presented himself to the public, everything is now waiting for the statement from FDP boss Christian Lindner, which is expected at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, the Thuringian Left has also spoken. Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow, who was surprisingly voted out on Wednesday, is again to be the top candidate for a red-red-green government in new elections in Thuringia. This was explained by the Vice-President of the Thuringian Left, Steffen Dittes, in Erfurt. He was “expressly legitimized” by his party to report this, he added.

Update, 06.02.2020, 2.10 p.m .: Thomas Kemmerich comments on his resignation in the Thuringian State Chancellery before the press. He justified the step with the fact that he wanted to remove the flaw of the support from the AfD from the office of prime minister. He wanted to continue the fight against the extremes of right and left, there was no cooperation with the AfD.

Kemmerich wants to continue the fight against extremes

Kemmerich was surprised by the reactions after the election that the AfD had used a “perfidious trick” and that he himself had made no political mistakes. Not even to have accepted the election at all.

Update, 06.02.2020, 2.00 p.m .: A demonstration takes place in front of the Thuringian state parliament, cheering among the people when Kemmerich’s resignation is announced. There is already initial speculation as to who will benefit from new elections. The FDP is likely to have difficulties getting back to the state parliament, and the CDU is also weakened. The Greens could benefit from this. Such a scenario. Another question is what effects this Erfurt posse will have on voter participation or disenchantment with politics.

Update, 06.02.2020, 1.45 p.m .: Thomas Kemmerich had just categorically ruled out resignation. Now the FDP group in Thuringia is applying for the dissolution of the state parliament. There are said to be new elections, Kemmerich therefore wants to resign.

Christian Lindner has announced a statement to the press.

Update, February 6th, 2020, 1:10 pm:

Christoph Kindervater, apparently sent by the AfD to run for the office of prime minister, wants to step down as honorary mayor in his home town.

The child’s father said on Thursday morning via email that he would give up his position, said Thomas Frey – he is the joint chairman of the Bad Tennstedt administrative community, which belongs to the child’s father’s municipality of Sundhausen (Unstrut-Hainich district).

The father of the father justified his decision by wanting to avert damage from the community.

Update, 06.02.2020, 12.30 p.m .: In conversation with “Phoenix”, Thomas Kemmerich does not want to know anything about demands for resignation or new elections. In doing so, he opposes claims from his own party. All Democrats should accept the task that new elections are not an option under “Democrats”.

In the future there will be talks with the CDU, which is open in Thuringia. He would also renew his offer of cooperation to the SPD and the Greens. Everyone should have a responsibility in democracy.

Kemmerich: What will his cabinet look like?

Kemmerich further assumes that the waves will soon level off and conversations may be possible if the “excitement” has subsided.

He wants to assemble his cabinet from FDP and CDU politicians and “experts”, AfD ministers are not an option. He emphasized several times that he wanted to involve the SPD and the Greens.

Update, 06.02.2020, 10.40 a.m .: As the Berlin “Tagesspiegel” currently reports, FDP boss Christian Lindner is on the way to Erfurt. The newspaper claims to have learned from party circles that Lindner wants to persuade the newly elected Prime Minister Thomas Kemmerich to withdraw. Kemmerich is said to clear the way for new elections. That could work by asking the question of trust, but this requires the approval of the CDU parliamentary group. On Wednesday Lindner had spoken of a “surprising development”, but: “Whoever supports our candidate in a secret election is not in our power.”

Lindner on the way to Kemmerich

Lindner should thus bow to the pressure of the party, which had already called for new elections on Wednesday. As the “Business Insider” now reports with reference to their own research, the FDP leadership had already prepared for a possible choice by Kemmerich last Monday evening. During a telephone call, the possibility of actually choosing Kemmerich was discussed – with the votes of the AfD. Lindner gave his approval for this scenario, refers to “Business insider“On FDP leadership circles.

Update, 06.02.2020, 9.20 a.m .: Björn Höcke already offered to cooperate with the new FDP Prime Minister Thomas Kemmerich in a letter on November 1, 2019.

The “well-being of the Free State of Thuringia” must now be put in the foreground, which is why he offers to “talk together about new forms of cooperation. An expert government jointly supported by our parties … would be conceivable alternatives to ‘keep it up’ from red-red-green. ”

A Copy of the letter was also sent to Mike Mohring.

Update, 06.02.2020, 8.45 Uhr: Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer hat der dem CDU-Landesverband Thüringen mit Konsequenzen gedroht. Allerdings steht auch sie vor einem Widerspruch. Der Thüringer Mike Mohring war es, der eine Duldung von Bodo Ramelow als Ministerpräsident ins Gespräch gebracht hatte. Er wurde von Kramp-Karrenbauer zurückgepfiffen. Es ist insofern ein hausgemachtes Problem, und die CDU muss sich grundsätzlich entscheiden, in welche Richtung sie sich positionieren will. Ist die Distanz zu Ramelow die Gleiche wie zu Björn Höcke?

Derweil wird die AfD als „Sieger des Tages“ eingestuft. Sie wolle in die politische Mitte eindringen bzw als Teil dieser wahrgenommen werden, und diesem Ziel sei sie in Stück näher gekommen.

Update, 06.02.2020, 7.42 Uhr: Alexander Mitsch, Vorsitzender der rechtskonservativen „Werteunion“, plädiert im „Morgenmagazin“ für eine Zusammenarbeit der CDU mit Thomas Kemmerich. Man könne nicht Verantwortung für das Handeln anderer Parteien übernehmen, so Mitsch in Anspielung auf die Tatsache, dass seine Partei gemeinsam mit der AfD und der FDP den Ministerpräsidenten ins Amt gehoben hat. Natürlich unterstütze die CDU eher einen FDP-Mann als einen der Linken.

Gleichstellung von AfD und Linke

Eine Zusammenarbeit mit den „politischen Rändern“ lehne die Union ab. Damit setzt er die AfD mit der Linken gleich, also im Falle Thüringen Björn Höcke mit Bodo Ramelow. Der Politikwissenschaftler Martin Florack dazu in der selben Sendung: „Die Gleichsetzung der politischen Ränder ist ein Witz.“

Update, 06.02.2020, 6.15 Uhr: The Thuringian CDU comes under massive pressure after the election of the Prime Minister with the help of the AfD. Party leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer threatened the party friends in Erfurt with consequences if they should work with the new head of government Thomas Kemmerich (FDP). “This prime minister does not have a parliamentary majority, he always has to rely on the AfD,” she said on ZDF. In this respect, cooperation with Kemmerich would be a violation of the party line, which precludes any cooperation with the AfD – “with the corresponding consequences”.

Thüringen: CDU zu Gesprächen mit Kemmerich bereit – „unter Voraussetzungen“

The Thuringian CDU nevertheless agreed to talk to Kemmerich on Wednesday evening. „Voraussetzung dafür ist aber, dass jede Zusammenarbeit mit der AfD ausgeschlossen sein muss“, betonte CDU-Generalsekretär Raymond Walk nach einer Sitzung des Landesvorstandes. Die CDU-Bundesspitze fordert dagegen eine Neuwahl in Thüringen. „Und ich finde, es wäre richtig, wenn dieser Ministerpräsident zurücktreten würde“, sagte Kramp-Karrenbauer.

Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) was surprised by the election scandal in Thuringia on a trip to South Africa on Wednesday. She didn’t want to comment on what happened during the flight. It is expected that she will comment on this at a press conference in the morning with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (10.30 a.m.CET) in Pretoria.

Update, 05.02.2020, 21.20 Uhr: Die Spitzen von Union und SPD im Bund wollen die Konsequenzen der umstrittenen Ministerpräsidentenwahl in Thüringen in einem Koalitionsausschuss beraten. Dazu wollen sie sich am Samstag in Berlin treffen, wie die Deutsche Presse-Agentur am Mittwochabend erfuhr.

Auf den Tisch kommen dürfte dann auch das Thema Neuwahlen. CDU-Chefin Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer hatte am Mittwochabend gesagt, die CDU-Spitze sei „einstimmig“ für Neuwahlen. Ob die Entscheidung wirklich einstimmig war, steht nun allerdings in Frage. Es gibt laut der Deutschen Presse Agentur verschiedene Darstellungen.

So ist es laut einem Sprecher der CDU-Fraktion im Thüringer Landtag keinesfalls klar, wie sich Thüringens CDU-Fraktionschef Mike Mohring bei der Abstimmung in der Schaltkonferenz verhalten hat. Die von Kramp-Karrenbauer “behauptete Einstimmigkeit” sei “nicht korrekt”. CDU-Generalsekretär Paul Ziemiak benutzte am Mittwochabend im “ZDF spezial” das Wort “einhellig” statt “einstimmig”

Thüringen: Kemmerich rechtfertigt seine Wahl und lehnt Neuwahlen ab

Der neue Thüringer Ministerpräsident Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) lehnt Neuwahlen derweil ab. “Demokraten sollten wissen, Neuwahlen sind keine Option”, sagte Kemmerich am Mittwoch im ARD-“Brennpunkt”. Die Arbeit beginne nun erst, im Parlament müssten die Parteien die Zusammenarbeit suchen.

Kemmerich verwies darauf, dass bei vorgezogenen Neuwahlen Umfragen zufolge kaum ein anderes Ergebnis herauskommen würde als bei der Wahl vom Oktober vergangenen Jahres. Kemmerich verteidigte sein Vorgehen gegen die Kritik aus allen politischen Lagern. Er habe seine Kandidatur in einem demokratischen Prozess erklärt und sei in geheimer Wahl gewählt worden. Dass die AfD versuche, die Demokratie zu beschädigen, sei nicht hinzunehmen.

Er betonte zugleich: „Die Heftigkeit der Reaktion erschüttert mich.“ Die politische Auseinandersetzung solle aber im Parlament geführt werden.

Thüringen: Nord-FDP fordert Kemmerich-Rücktritt – Er will erste Termine wahrnehmen

Die Kritik gegen Kemmerichs Wahl reißt nicht ab. In Berlin haben Hunderte Demonstranten gegen die überraschende Wahl des FDP-Politikers protestiert, auch in anderen Städten wie Frankfurt gab es spontane Demos. Auch innerhalb der Partei bleibt Kemmerich umstritten: Schleswig-Holsteins FDP-Spitze forderte den Rücktritt des mit Stimmen der AfD gewählten Thüringer FDP-Ministerpräsidenten.

Kemmerich will am am Donnerstag seine ersten öffentlichen Termine als Regierungschef wahrnehmen. Am Vormittag wird der 54-Jährige nach Angaben eines FDP-Sprechers bei der “Konferenz Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie” in Erfurt erwartet.

CDU-Spitze um AKK will Neuwahlen nach Debakel in Thüringen

Update, 05.02.2020, 19.30 Uhr: Die CDU-Spitze empfiehlt nach der umstrittenen Ministerpräsidentenwahl in Thüringen einstimmig Neuwahlen im Freistaat. Das Präsidium der Partei habe sich in einer Schaltkonferenz einstimmig dafür ausgesprochen, teilte Parteichefin Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer am Mittwochabend in Straßburg mit.

“Es ist jetzt auch an dem gewählten Ministerpräsidenten, für sich die Entscheidung zu treffen, ob er ein Ministerpräsident von Höckes Gnaden bleiben will oder nicht“, sagte Kramp-Karrenbauer, kurz AKK.

Auf Twitter kündigte sie an, es werde in einem “Kabinett Kemmerich” keine CDU-Minister geben. Auch eine Zusammenarbeit mit der AfD schloss sie aus.

Dem CDU-Präsidium gehört auch Thüringens CDU-Fraktionschef Mike Mohring an, ob er an der Schaltkonferenz teilgenommen hat, war zunächst unklar.

Entsetzen und Demonstrationen nach Wahl: „Ich schäme mich für Thüringen“

Update, 05.02.2020, 17.46 Uhr: Die Empörung und das Entsetzen darüber, dass sich FDP-Politiker Thomas Kemmerich mit den Stimmen der AfD zum Ministerpräsidenten in Thüringen hat wählen lassen, sind vielerorts groß. In Frankfurt haben sich derzeit rund 60 Menschen an der Hauptwache versammelt, um gemeinsam ihren Unmut über den Wahlausgang und ihre Sorge vor einem weiteren Erstarken der extremen Rechten deutlich zu machen. Später soll eine Kundgebung am Paulsplatz in Frankfurt folgen.

Bereits am Nachmittag kamen nach Polizeiangaben rund 100 Demonstranten vor dem Landtag in Erfurt zusammen. Einzelne Plakate verwiesen auf historische Parallelen in Thüringen. “1930 erster Minister der NSDAP, 2020 erster Ministerpräsident mit Stimmen der AfD”, lautete beispielsweise eine Aufschrift.

Wahl in Thüringen: „Unverschämt“, „erschreckend“, „super“

“Erschreckend, abgekartet, nicht zu fassen”, lauteten auch spontane Reaktionen in einer Straßenumfrage der Deutschen Presse-Agentur in Erfurt. “Ich bin fassungslos, wie man aus Machtgeilheit Nazis benutzt, um Ministerpräsident zu werden”, sagte eine 46 Jahre alte Erfurterin der dpa. “Und ich schäme mich für Thüringen.” Ihren Namen wollte sie wie die meisten anderen Befragten nicht nennen.

“Unverschämt” fand ein anderer die FDP. “Dass ein Mensch, der gerade mit Ach und Krach in den Landtag gekommen ist, Ministerpräsident wird, ist nicht mein Verständnis von Demokratie”, sagte der Passant der dpa mit Blick auf das 5-Prozent-Wahlergebnis der FDP. “Das hätte ich nie gedacht, dass der Kemmerich sich dafür hergibt”, sagte eine Rentnerin aus Erfurt.

Aber es gab auch Zustimmung. Eine weitere Seniorin sprach von einem geschickten Schachzug. “Vielleicht verschwinden ja jetzt die vielen Ausländer auf dem Anger.” Richtig begeistert war Thomas Huntgeburth, bekennender FDP-Wähler, aus Erfurt: “Super. Der Kemmerich ist Wessi, Geschäftsmann – der kann was.”

Lindner (FDP) zu Wahl von Kemmerich durch AfD: „Keine Zusammenarbeit“

Update, 05.02.2020, 16.27 Uhr: FDP-Chef Christian Lindner hat die Bühne betreten. „Thomas Kemmerich ist als Kandidat der Mitte angetreten und hat gewonnen. Die Unterstützung der AFD ist überraschend, da sie nicht von Übereinstimmung in der Sache, sondern rein taktisch motiviert ist. Die FDP verhandelt und kooperiert mit der AfD nicht. There is no basis for cooperation. Wir unterstützen die Ziele und Werte dieser Partei nicht.“

Thomas Kemmerich habe bereits vorher bestätigt, dass er diese Position teile. „Wir appellieren an SPD, Union und Grüne, das Gesprächsangebot von Thomas Kemmerich anzunehmen.“ Sollten sich die Parteien einer Kooperation mit der neuen Regierung „verweigern“, wären baldige Neuwahlen zu erwarten und aus Lindners Sicht auch nötig.

Update, 05.02.2020, 16.04 Uhr: Thomas Kemmerich sagte in seiner ersten Rede als neuer Ministerpräsident, dass er eine Regierung der Mitte bilden wolle. Er strebe sie gemeinsam mit CDU, SPD und den Grünen an. Gegenüber der AfD grenzte er sich scharf ab: „Die Brandmauern gegenüber der AfD bleiben bestehen. (…) Ich bin Anti-AfD, Anti-Höcke.“

Update, 05.02.2020, 15.44 Uhr: Die Linke in Frankfurt plant für 19 Uhr eine Kundgebung auf dem Paulsplatz in Frankfurt. Das teilte der Stadtverordnete der Partei, Michael Müller, via Twitter mit. „Gegen einen weiteren Rechtsruck in diesem Land“, kommentiert er seinen Tweet.

Update, 05.02.2020, 15.12 Uhr: The green haben die Wahl des FDP-Politikers Thomas Kemmerich als „Kulturbruch“ kritisiert und ihn zum sofortigen Amtsverzicht aufgefordert. „Wir erwarten von Thomas Kemmerich, dass er das Amt unverzüglich niederlegt“, hieß es in der gemeinsamen Erklärung der Parteivorsitzenden Annalena Baerbock und Robert Habeck sowie den Fraktionschefs Katrin Göring-Eckardt und Anton Hofreiter.

„Thomas Kemmerich ist mit Hilfe von einer AfD ins Amt gekommen, die in Thüringen von einem Faschisten geführt wird“, hieß es mit Blick auf den Thüringer AfD-Landeschef Björn Höcke. „Das ist ein Pakt mit Rechtsextremen.“

Wahl-Debakel in Thüringen –  FDP-Kandidat gewinnt mit AfD Stimmen

Update, 05.02.2020,13.45 Uhr: Die SPD in Thüringen schließt aus, mit dem Ministerpräsidenten Kemmerich zusammenzuarbeiten. Sie unterstütze keinen Politiker, der von der AfD getragen wurde.

Auch die CDU fordert eine Abgrenzung zur AfD. „Wir haben uns entschieden, den Kandidaten der bürgerlichen Mitte zu unterstützen“, sagte CDU-Partei- und Fraktionschef Mike Mohring. „Entscheidend ist nun, dass Kemmerich klarmacht, dass es keine Koalition mit der AfD gibt.“

Update, 05.02.2020,13.35 Uhr: Das ist das erste Mal in der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik, dass ein Ministerpräsident mit den stimmen der Afd ins Amt gewählt wurde. Das ist laut Experte im MDR verfassungsrechtlich soweit korrekt, obwohl die AfD nicht mit offenem Visier gespielt hat.

Thüringen stellt einen Ministerpräsidenten ohne Regierungsmannschaft. Interessant wird sein, wer die Regierung stellt.

Update, 05.02.2020,13.32 Uhr: Die Abgeordneten in Erfurt haben gewählt. Auf Bodo Ramelow entfallen 44 Stimmen, auf Christoph Kindervater 0 Stimmen und Thomas Kemmerich 45 haben gewählt. Enthaltungen: 1.

Damit ist eingetreten, was von vielen vermutet wurde. Die Afd hat ihren Kandidaten zum Schein in den dritten Wahlgang geschickt, um den aussichtsreicheren Kandidaten der FDP schließlich – und zwar geschlossen – in das Amt zu heben.

Update, 05.02.2020,13.20 Uhr: Die Wahl ist abgeschlossen, die Auszählung hat begonnen.

Update, 05.02.2020,13.00 Uhr: Der dritte Wahlgang hat begonnen. Kemmerich hatte seine Kandidatur davon abhängig gemacht, ob die AfD bei ihrem Kandidaten bleibt. Damit wollte verhindern, mit den Stimmen der AfD gewählt zu werden.

Update, 05.02.2020,12.45 Uhr: Gleich beginnt der dritte Wahlgang. Die Frage ist, ob die AfD ihren Kandidaten zurückzieht bzw. ob die FDP einen eigenen Kandidaten stellt. Im zweiten Wahlgang scheinen Abweichler anderer Parteien sich von Kindervater wieder wegbewegt zu haben.

FDP, AfD und Linke stellen Kandidaten

Zur Wahl treten an: Bodo Ramelow (Linke), Christoph Kindervater (AfD) und Thomas Kemmerich (FDP). Es gibt eine erneute Unterbrechung, weil neue Stimmzettel gedruckt werden müssen.

Mit dieser Variante ist die Verfassungsproblematik vom Tisch, da einer der drei Kandidaten die meisten Ja-Stimmen auf sich vereint. Nur bei einem Kandidaten wäre die Option einer Nein-Stimme gewährleistet.

Es wird spekuliert, dass die Afd nun den Kandidaten der FDP unterstützen und den eigenen fallen lassen könnte. Damit wäre Kemmerich Ministerpräsident.

Update, 05.02.2020,12.15 Uhr: Das Ergebnis des zweiten Wahlganges: Für Bodo Ramelow stimmten 44, für Kindervater 22 Abgeordnete – 24 Enthaltungen. Damit fehlen Ramelow zwei Stimmen, auch wenn er eine hinzugewinnen konnte. Kindervater hingegen hat an Zustimmung eingebüßt.

Update, 05.02.2020,12.00 Uhr: Der zweite Wahlgang startet mit beiden Kandidaten – sowohl Bodo Ramelow (Linke) als auch Christoph Kindervater (AfD).

Update, 05.02.2020,11.25 Uhr: Die Stimmen sind ausgezählt. Für  Ramelow stimmten 43 Abgeordnete, insofern fehlen ihm drei Stimmen zur Wiederwahl. Ein Mitglied der Opposition stimmte für ihn.

AfD beantragt Unterbrechung

AfD-Mann Kindervater erreichte 25 Stimmen, was bedeutet, dass drei Nicht-AfD-Politiker für diesen Kandidaten gestimmt haben. 22 Abgeordnete haben sich enthalten. Jetzt geht es in den zweiten Wahlgang.

Beziehungsweise erst in 30 Minuten. Die AfD hat eine Sitzungsunterbrechung beantragt zur Beratung – ohne ihren Kandidaten Kindervater.

Update, 05.02.2020,11.20 Uhr: Der erste Wahlgang läuft, es wird geheim abgestimmt. Alle Abgeordneten werden namentlich aufgerufen. Der Experte im MDR-Studio André Brodocz sieht es als unwahrscheinlich an, dass Ramelow im ersten Wahlgang gewählt wird. Michael Brenner Verfassungsrechtler Universität Jena erläutert noch einmal die Problematik des dritten Wahlgangs. Vertreter unterschiedlicher Auslegungen zählen entweder nur die Ja-Stimmen oder nur die Nein-Stimmen. Entsprechend wird das Ergebnis gewertet.

Thüringen – Erster Wahlgang ist beendet

Aktuell wird jeder Stimme händisch ausgezählt. Diskutiert wird ein Thüringer Modell, das eine Minderheitsregierung ohne unterstützende weitere Fraktion meint. Das wäre einzigartig in der Republik, weil die Gefahr des politischen Stillstandes bestünde.

Erstmeldung:

Erfurt – Am Mittwoch, 05.02.2020, wird in Thuringia ein neuer prime minister selected. Amtsinhaber Bodo Ramelow (Linke) will Regierungschef bleiben, mit seinem angepeilten Bündnis hat er aber keine Mehrheit im Parlament. Linke, SPD und Grüne kommen nur auf 42 von 90 Sitzen.

Thüringen: AfD stellt Kandidaten auf – Bodo Ramelow ist nicht sicher gewählt

Nun hat auch die AFD mit dem parteilosen Bürgermeister aus einer 350-Seelen-Gemeinde, Christoph Kindervater, einen eigenen Kandidaten aufgestellt. Kindervater hatte sich selbst ins Spiel gebracht und die drei Oppositionsparteien im Thüringer Landtag – CDU, FDP und AFD – gebeten, ihn als Kandidaten ins Rennen zu schicken.

Mit 22 Sitzen im Erfuter Landtag benötigt die AfD-Fraktion die Hilfe von CDU und FDP, um ihren Kandidaten durchzusetzen. Möglich ist jedoch auch, dass CDU oder FDP kurzfristig einen eigenen Bewerber aufstellen.

Entsprechend ist keineswegs sicher, dass Ramelow wieder gewählt wird. Um im ersten oder zweiten Wahlgang die Wahl für sich zu entscheiden, braucht er die absolute Mehrheit – dafür fehlen ihm vier Stimmen.

Ministerpräsidenten-Wahl in Thüringen: Drei Szenarien sind denkbar

Im dritten Wahlgang, einem wahrscheinlichen Szenario, benötigt der Linke nur noch die relative Mehrheit. Die ist aber nur dann juristisch unumstritten, wenn auch der AFD-Kandidat noch im Rennen ist.

Sollte Ramelow ohne Gegenkandidaten zur Wahl stehen, und mit mehr Nein- als Ja-Stimmen gewählt werden, fürchten Experten eine Verfassungskrise. Der Fall könnte vor dem Verwaltungsgerichtshof landen.

Ein weiteres Szenario kommt von Seiten der FDP: FDP-Partei- und Fraktionschef Thomas Kemmerich will im dritten Wahlgang kandidieren, wenn nur noch Ramelow und der AfD-Mann Kindervater zur Wahl stehen. Ihm dürften, vorausgesetzt, die CDU hat keinen eigenen Kandidaten, die Stimmen der Union sicher sein. Mit den Stimmen der AfD könnte Kemmerich tatsächlich Ministerpräsident werden.

Wahl in Thüringen sorgt für Aufregung

Bereits im Vorfeld sorgte die Wahl des Regierungschefs in Thüringen für Aufregung. Politiker der SPD, der Grünen und der Linken warnten die CDU davor, dem AfD-Kandidaten ihre Stimmen zu geben. „Wenn ein Kandidat mit den Stimmen der AfD gewählt wird, ist das kein Versehen – damit ist eine Brandschutzwand eingerissen“, sagte etwa Grünen-Chef Robert Habeck dem Berliner „Tagesspiegel“.

Eine Mahnung kam auch von Seiten der Union. „Die CDU darf nicht in die Lage geraten, mit den Stimmen der AfD den Ministerpräsidenten zu stellen“, warnte der frühere Thüringer Ministerpräsident Bernhard Vogel in der „Rheinischen Post“.

Die Regeln zur Wahl des Ministerpräsidenten in Thüringen

  • Im ersten Wahldurchgang ist gewählt, wer die absolute Mehrheit im Parlament erreicht. Im aktuellen Thüringer Landtag sind dafür 46 Stimmen nötig.
  • Schafft im ersten Wahlgang keiner der Kandidaten die absolute Mehrheit, gibt es eine zweite Runde. Auch hier braucht es wieder die absolute Mehrheit, also 46 Stimmen.
  • Scheitern die Kandidaten zum zweiten Mal, heißt es in der Landesverfassung: „Kommt die Wahl auch im zweiten Wahlgang nicht zustande, so ist gewählt, wer in einem weiteren Wahlgang die meisten Stimmen erhält.“
  • Im zweiten und dritten Wahlgang sind nach Angaben des Thüringer Landtags auch neue Kandidaten möglich. Denkbar sei aber auch, dass Fraktionen ihre Kandidaten wieder zurückziehen. (mit Agentur)

Thomas Kemmerich (FDP) wird mithilfe der AfD in Thüringen zum Ministerpräsidenten gewählt. The Höcke faction’s game was transparent. The CDU played along. Ein Kommentar.*

The AfD is said to have nominated people against their will as candidates in a municipal council election in Bavaria. Those affected are irritated.

Der Rücktritt des Ministerpräsidenten Kemmerich macht den Tabubruch in Thüringen nicht ungeschehen. Er entbindet CDU und FDP auch nicht davon, ihr Verhältnis zur rechten AfD endgültig zu klären. Der Leitartikel.

Das Durcheinander nach dem Wahl-Fiasko im Thüringer Landtag spiegelte sich auch in Maybrit Illners Talkshow im ZDF wieder.

* fr.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.

Rubriklistenbild: © Martin Schutt/dpa

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