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CDU

‘Space to build bridges’: Thuringia to vote again after far-right scandal

The eastern German state of Thuringia plans to hold new elections in spring, after mainstream parties' apparent cooperation with the far right there unleashed a national scandal and forced the resignation of Chancellor Angela Merkel's chosen successor.

'Space to build bridges': Thuringia to vote again after far-right scandal
Christine Lieberknecht (pictured here in 2014) will lead Thuringia's new compromise government. Photo: DPA

A parliamentary vote for state premier claimed several political scalps, including that of the chosen successor of Chancellor Angela Merkel, after a liberal politician was elected with backing from both the centre and far right.

Liberal Thomas Kemmerich then stepped down, leaving Thuringia rudderless.

On Tuesday, parties from across the political spectrum haggled over a  compromise to install a technical government for the next 70 days before  holding fresh elections.

READ ALSO: 'Trouble and turmoil': What the CDU crisis means for the future of Merkel and Germany

State lawmakers from Merkel's CDU had voted with their far-right,  anti-immigrant AfD counterparts on February 5th to elect Kemmerich state  premier.  Thousands of people have staged street protests against the vote, which broke a taboo over centrist parties accepting help from the far right.

AfD's rhetoric of a remote Berlin elite more interested in coddling  immigrants than supporting hard-working Germans resonates in the former East.

The scandal forced the resignation of CDU leader and Merkel heir apparent  Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, prompting a new race to succeed Merkel as  chancellor.

In a surprise move on Monday night, ousted Left party state premier Bodo  Ramelow suggested that his centre-right predecessor Christine Lieberknecht lead a skeletal administration with a handful of left-wing ministers.

“My respect for Bodo Remelow,” tweeted Social Democratic politician Klara Geywitz. “Anyone who loves their country is above all looking for a solution in a crisis and does not think of themselves first.”

Ramelow's proposal “offers the space to build bridges and to advance the projects on which democratic political camps can agree,” tweeted Die Linke politician Benjamin-Immanuel Hoff.

But on Tuesday, the CDU's Thuringia wing said they would only agree to a transitional government in which all ministerial positions were filled so that the state budget for 2021 could be passed.

“After the budget has been passed, there can be fresh elections,” CDU lawmakers said in a statement. Further negotiations are scheduled for Tuesday evening.

The far-right AfD said it was open to new elections, but rejected plans to install Lieberknecht at the head of a transitional administration.

Lieberknecht, 61, was Thuringian state premier from 2009-14, heading a centrist coalition with the social-democratic SPD.

She later lost her post to Ramelow, who led a coalition between the far left, the SPD and the Green Party before losing his majority at elections last October.

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CDU

Germany’s centre-right CDU to elect new leadership by end of the year

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party will elect its new leadership by the year's end, general secretary Paul Ziemiak said Monday, detailing plans for a clean slate after a disastrous election that the party lost to the Social Democrats.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and CDU leader Armin Laschet on the election campaign trail in Aachen before the election.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and CDU leader Armin Laschet on the election campaign trail in Aachen before the election. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Federico Gambarini

In power for 16 years under Merkel, the Christian Democratic Union is grappling with its deepest crisis in decades after turning in a historic low score in September’s election.

Its leader Armin Laschet last week signalled his readiness to step aside, setting the ball rolling for renewal at the top.

READ ALSO: Laschet signals he’s ready to step down as CDU leader

Ziemiak said a date for the congress to determine the new makeup of the party’s top brass as well as how rank and file members can participate in the leadership selection process will be announced on November 2nd.

But the party’s leaders “today agreed unanimously that we will elect a completely new executive board,” he said, adding that in terms of the calendar, the “window for this is year’s end”.

Bild daily had reported that the party has made a tentative booking for December 6th-13th in Dresden for its possible congress.

READ ALSO: Germany edges a step closer to a government led by Social Democrats

Laschet, who is state premier of Germany’s most populous region North Rhine-Westphalia, was elected head of the CDU in January.

For some time, he was the clear favourite to succeed Merkel, who is bowing out of politics after running four consecutive coalitions.

But his party’s ratings began to slide as he committed a series of gaffes, including being caught on camera laughing in the background during a solemn tribute to flood victims.

With the CDU’s ratings plunging, Merkel tried to boost Laschet’s campaign with joint appearances, but was unable to help the conservatives pull off a win on election day.

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