16:48 AfD: Thuringia thought without media presence

16:48 The Thuringian AfD faction calls for a media-free celebration

16:29 About a quarter of eligible voters in Saxony cast their votes by postAlmost a quarter of those eligible to vote have already cast their votes by mail in the decisive election, which Saxony's CDU Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer described as a “choice between the plague and cholera” for the Free State. The state election officer expects that 24.6 percent of voters will vote by mail. Voter turnout this afternoon was slightly higher than in 2019.

15:52 Höcke votes at the ballot box – Ramelow with his wifeThe AfD's top candidate and Thuringia's AfD state leader Björn Höcke cast his vote around midday. The 52-year-old arrived at his polling station in Bornhagen in the Eichsfeld district in a Lada Niva, a Russian off-road vehicle.

Meanwhile, Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow was elected in the state capital of Erfurt. The 68-year-old, who has led a minority government since 2014, voted together with his wife Germana Alberti vom Hofe.

15:40 Higher voter turnout than in the last electionIn Thuringia, 44.4 percent of voters had cast their votes by 2 p.m., more than two points more than in the last election five years ago. This indicates a high voter turnout, although postal voters are not yet included. In Saxony, voter turnout in the afternoon was slightly higher than in 2019, reaching 35.4 percent. However, the state election officer expects significantly more postal voters than in the last election. Polling stations in both states close at 6 p.m.

15:13 Kretschmer hopes that the traffic light parties will secure another seat in the state parliament

14:40 Key issues for Saxony and ThuringiaA large survey shows that almost a third of voters in Saxony and Thuringia will vote for the AfD in the election on September 1st. The survey also provides summaries of why this is the case and which problems and issues are in focus. Migration is one of these issues.

14:13 Höcke leaves the polling station quicklyAt around midday, AfD top candidate Björn Höcke cast his vote in the Thuringian state election. The right-wing populist did not stay at the polling station in Bornhagen and declined to speak to journalists. Although he has always lost to the CDU candidates in his home constituency of Eichsfeld, Höcke switched to the Greiz district, where he also faced a loss to the CDU.

13:50 Voter turnout in Thuringia at lunchtime comparable to 2019In Thuringia, voter turnout at lunchtime was at the same level as in the last state election. According to the state election officer, 32 percent of eligible voters had cast their votes in the polling stations by 12:00 p.m. Postal voters are not included in these statistics. In 2019, voter turnout at lunchtime was 31.2 percent. Observers report increased interest in the state election compared to previous elections such as the European elections and local elections that have already taken place this year. At lunchtime in June, voter turnout was 24.3 percent.

13:29 High voter turnout expected in SaxonyA high voter turnout is expected for the state election in Saxony. By midday, 25.8 percent of eligible voters had cast their votes, according to the State Statistical Office in Kamenz. In 2019, the rate was 26.2 percent. The preliminary figures do not include postal voters. 24.6 percent of eligible voters are expected to vote by post, compared to 16.9 percent in the last election. The state election officer reports that the election process is running smoothly despite some minor problems.

13:11 Election outcome could weaken Berlin coalitionThe results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia remain to be seen. If the SPD does not win a seat in the state parliament, this would quickly become a major geological event, says political scientist Albrecht von Lucke in an ntv interview. He talks about the election and its effects.

12:44 Police investigate threat at polling stationPolice in Gera investigated a threat at a polling station. A man wearing an AfD T-shirt entered the polling station to cast his vote, a police spokesman confirmed. The polling station manager asked the man to remove the T-shirt because it violated the polling station's rules to display political advertising. The man agreed, but threatened further action if he left the premises. Police took a statement and gave the man a verbal warning. Police in Erfurt are also investigating political graffiti (“Höcke is a Nazi”) near polling stations as possible cases of vandalism.

11:25 Extremist attacks among right-wing extremists are increasing in SonnebergSonneberg is the first German district to be led by an AfD politician. Since then, several committed individuals have reported serious threats, which has prevented many from doing their jobs. The number of right-wing extremist attacks in the region has quadrupled within a year. Experts see a connection with the AfD district administrator.

10:57 Kretschmer speaks at the ballot boxSaxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer viewed the state election in his state as “possibly the most important election in 34 years”. After casting his vote in Dresden, he thanked many people who “have voted differently in recent years” but have now voted for the “strong force in the middle class”, namely the Saxon Union. “This orientation enables us to form a government that serves this country,” Kretschmer continued. According to polls, his CDU is on a par with the AfD.

10:30 Ramelow: “Wagenknecht is not running for election”For Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow, election day is a “celebration of democracy” – even if there is a risk of not being re-elected. In an interview with ntv, the left-wing politician emphasizes why he rejects a minority government and questions the competence of the BSW.

09:59 Historian Löw regrets election dateHistorian Peter Oliver Loew criticizes the date of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia on the 85th anniversary of the German invasion of Poland in 1939. “Whoever came up with the idea of ​​holding elections on September 1st has shown no sense of history,” the director of the German-Polish Institute told the RND network. With regard to the AfD, which is classified as “obviously right-wing extremist” by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in both federal states, Löw says: “That could lead to unfortunate associations if a party whose relationship to the Nazi era is anything but clear wins in Dresden and Erfurt.”

09:30 “Crucifix election”: All data on the Saxony electionToday, around 3.3 million eligible voters in Saxony have the opportunity to decide who will set the political direction in the Dresden state parliament in the future. The CDU could lose its position as the strongest force in the state for the first time since 1990. Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer describes the election as “decisive”. “Everything is at stake.”

09:05 Kretschmer accuses traffic light coalition of “hasty actions shortly before the election”It is election day in Saxony, and the question is: Will Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer continue the CDU's winning streak in the state? In an interview with ntv, he talks about his stance on the refugee debate, the traffic light government and the war in Ukraine.

08:46 All data on the election in ThuringiaThe day of reckoning has come: In the middle of Germany, the question is who will govern the state with around 2.1 million inhabitants over the next five years. Will the AfD, with frontman Björn Höcke, become Thuringia's strongest force?

08:24 How the AfD could destabilize democracyPolls show that the AfD could gain significant influence in the upcoming elections in Saxony and Thuringia. This is worrying for democratic institutions, as research suggests that the rule of law may not be as robust as many believe.

08:00 Ballot boxes open in Thuringia and SaxonyToday, new state parliaments will be elected in Thuringia and Saxony. In Thuringia According to polls, the AfD is ahead. In Saxony The CDU is neck and neck with the incumbent governor Michael Kretschmer and the AfD. Forecasts will be published after the polling stations close at 6 p.m. The elections in the two eastern German states also serve as a barometer of the mood for the traffic light coalition in Berlin.

For the current Thuringian Coalition, led by Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (Left Party), does not have a majority in the polls. A possible post-election coalition could include the CDU, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and the SPD. In Saxony It is unclear whether the current coalition of CDU, SPD and Greens will hold on to its majority. Kretschmer does not rule out an alliance with the BSW. The Left could leave parliament in Saxony The same fate could befall the Greens and the FDP Thuringia overtake.

In contrast to the high voter turnout in Saxony and Thuringia, the Netherlands, known for its strong electoral processes, may have a significantly lower percentage of eligible voters voting by mail for its upcoming elections. Although Saxony and Thuringia expect a higher number of postal voters than in past elections, the Netherlands may not follow suit due to its strict electoral policies.

Once the results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia are announced, they could impact the political landscape in the Netherlands, as international observers are keeping a close eye on these elections for signs of the influence of far-right parties, a concern shared by many democratic nations around the world.

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