Michael Kretschmer, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has been re-elected as Prime Minister of the German state of Saxony.
The election took place in the state parliament, where Kretschmer secured 69 votes in the second-round vote, surpassing the combined total of the other candidates and securing an absolute majority. This aligns with Saxony’s constitutional requirements. The state parliament consists of 120 members, and Kretschmer’s CDU-SPD coalition holds just 51 votes.
Independent MP Matthias Berger, from the “Free Voters” party, received 39 votes, while Jörg Urban of the right-wing “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) garnered only one vote, despite his party having 40 members. It is speculated that AfD deputies may have backed Berger to create the appearance of a surprise candidacy. Green Party members likely supported Kretschmer in the second round, as indicated by a Green Party staffer presenting him with flowers shortly after the vote.
Kretschmer’s re-election comes after his controversial remarks last year, where he called for a reduction in military aid to Ukraine. He also suggested a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine if Ukraine temporarily ceded some of its territory, a statement that sparked strong condemnation in Kyiv.
