Mario Voigt has been elected Prime Minister of Thuringia after securing 51 out of 88 votes in the state parliament’s first ballot. The CDU politician gained support from the far-left Left Party following lengthy negotiations.
Former Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow expressed optimism ahead of the vote, saying he expected a “democratic majority” to back Voigt. He emphasized the importance of working with a majority that does not rely on the far-right AfD, noting that democracy must not be undermined by extremist forces.
The CDU, along with the SPD and BSW factions, had been in discussions for days to find a way for Voigt to be elected without relying on AfD votes. With only 44 votes in parliament, the CDU-led coalition was dependent on securing at least one opposition vote to form a majority. After intense morning talks, the CDU reached an agreement with the Left Party, paving the way for Voigt’s election.
