The left-wing politician Bodo Ramelow is running again as a candidate in the prime ministerial election in Thuringia. Again it is a risk without a clear majority. The AfD sends its boss Björn Höcke against Ramelow into the race. What does that mean?
Erfurt (dpa) - Government crisis, nationwide outrage, a number of resignations: A month after the disastrous election of the FDP politician Thomas Kemmerich as Prime Minister, Thuringia is once again facing a tremendous game.
A new election run, in which the AfD is again involved, should end the permanent government crisis in Thuringia on Wednesday.
Nothing has changed in the state parliament regarding the difficult majority situation. The election again poses a risk - especially for the left-wing politician Bodo Ramelow, who is running again and this time meets the Thuringian AfD party and faction leader Björn Höcke as opposing candidate.
Can the February 5 disaster happen again?
Theoretically yes, but it has become a little less likely. A month ago, the FDP politician Kemmerich was elected head of government in the third round with votes from the AfD, CDU and FDP. This time neither the CDU nor the FDP want to send their own candidate to the election. This marks a duel between Ramelow and the AfD right wing Höcke. The AfD is the second largest parliamentary group and has 22 seats in parliament. It is hardly imaginable that the CDU and FDP choose Höcke.
Can Höcke become prime minister?
Yes. This would be conceivable if Ramelow failed in the first ballot and the left faction withdrawn its candidate. According to the Thuringian state constitution, an absolute majority is required in the first two ballots - 46 votes. Ramelow's alliance of the Left, SPD and Greens together has only 42 votes. If there is a third ballot, only the relative majority is required. According to the state constitution, the person who receives the most votes is elected. If Höcke were the only candidate in such a third ballot, he could only be elected Prime Minister with AfD votes.
What are the chances of Ramelow?
The 64-year-old is confident and points to many discussions with MPs in the past four weeks. He felt that "he was getting enough votes from the democratic groups". And: "Between the February 5 debacle and the situation today there is an understanding of what it means to have no state government." In addition, the left, the SPD and the Greens made a compromise with the CDU a week ago - a kind of stability agreement that none of those involved would like to tolerate as a red-red-green minority government. It is intended to allow project-related majorities in parliament for a limited time - until the new election date set on April 25, 2021.
Are there any election guarantees for the left-wing politician?
No, both the CDU and the FDP declare that their factions would not vote for Ramelow - the factions, there is no mention of individual MPs. And there are signals in the direction of Ramelow - such as the choice of chief negotiator Mario Voigt as the new CDU parliamentary group leader. The only leverage from Linker, SPD and Greens is the threat of a quick election in early summer should Ramelow fail again. The three parties easily get the 30 necessary signatures to request the dissolution of the parliament. However, a two-thirds majority is required to decide on a new election. Without the votes of the AfD or CDU, this would not have been possible.
Ramelow against Höcke - what could that do?
The polarization could close the ranks of the other groups more than if Ramelow competes alone, according to the Greens, for example. But it also destroys a plan by Susanne Hennig-Wellsow, head of the Left. "If Bodo Ramelow is not elected in the first ballot, we will request the dissolution of the parliament and new elections," she announced. In the worst case, the left front man has to go through all the laps if he doesn't want to leave Höcke the field. And then the unpredictable third ballot threatens again.
What other scenarios are still being discussed?
That there may be irregularities in the election in the state parliament - for example, by violating the electoral secrets through photos or other trickery.
Agenda Landtag session with Prime Minister election
