That AfD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania expect a successful path to government responsibility about ten months before the state elections. “We want a single government in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. That is our big goal,” state leader Leif-Erik Holm said at Demmin’s state party conference. Previously, almost all 250 delegates present had chosen the 55-year-old Bundestag member as a candidate for Prime Minister. There were only a few who abstained.
Fellow state chairman Enrico Schult initially invited those present to duel with SPD The incumbent Prime Minister, Manuela Schwesig, agreed. The CDU is currently not a major political opponent. “The main political opponent remains the SPD.” It was time to replace the Social Democratic Party, which had ruled Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania for 27 years. “As the AfD, we want to fight for an absolute majority.”
A survey conducted at the end of September showed the AfD in MV at 38 percent – more than double the previous level State elections 2021. At 19 percent, the SPD is only half as popular among voters as at the last election. According to a survey conducted by Infratest dimap on behalf of the NDR, the Unity Party remains at 13 percent, which is the lowest election result in history since the fall of 2021.
Rostock political scientist Wolfgang Muno said it was unlikely the AfD would win an absolute majority of seats in the state parliament. However, if parties like the FDP, Greens and BSW gain a certain number of percentage points but ultimately fail to pass the five percent threshold, the AfD might gain 40 percent of the vote to gain an absolute majority in the state parliament.
“It’s still not possible to say how well the AfD is doing; surveys are not election results,” Muno recalled. “It can be assumed that the party will grow and whether it will become the strongest party is not yet completely clear; current opinion polls suggest the same.” According to Muno, the AfD lacks willing coalition partners. That CDU for example, having to join the alliance as a junior partner. Acting as a supporter of this right-wing party is unlikely to please many CDU supporters in the country as well as the federal CDU, according to the scientist’s assessment.
Muno: Election “may be a crossroads”
According to Muno, SPD is still far from being abolished. «Stupid and the SPD was often in a bad position, but then put in a tremendous final push in the election campaign and won clearly. It could happen again. “Moreover, Schwesig is clearly going to issue the slogan ‘Me or the AfD’. That and the incumbency bonus, that might be enough again.”
This election “will likely be a crossroads in how democracy will develop 36 years after unity and the first freely elected state government in MV.”
State leader Holm also predicted a tailwind for MV from state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, which took place two weeks earlier. In Saxony-Anhalt, a recent survey put the AfD at 40 percent. As one of his first official acts as Prime Minister, the economist and former radio presenter announced the termination of the State Broadcasting Agreement. He combined this announcement with criticism of public broadcasting.
Holm also criticized the financial policies of the red-red government coalition in Schwerin. “We have to tighten our belts to make things better for everyone.” For example, staffing in the state administration sector needs to be saved.
One million euros for the election campaign
Schult called out the AfD in the MV for its “restrictive asylum policies that consistently drive people back”, criticizing what he saw as “stupid wind power madness” and calling for a stronger focus on “specialist knowledge rather than political education” in education.
Regional associations also feel strengthened by the influx of new members. Within a year, the number increased by 1,000 to the current 2,600. It also makes more money. The party wants to invest almost one million euros in next year’s election campaign.
Holm and Schult were confirmed as state leaders by Demmin’s majority. Holm received 196 yes votes and 48 no votes, Schult received 179 yes votes and 55 no votes. In addition, delegates elected state MP Thore Stein and the head of the Vorpommern-Rügen district association, Michael Kasch, as first and second deputy state speakers respectively, thus expanding the state assembly.
Holm is counting on a direct mandate in the Schwesig constituency
In the past, there have been differences of opinion regarding the nomination of leaders in state elections. Initially, the state executive committee selected Schult, a state lawmaker, as the top candidate. Recently, those in charge agreed that Holm would be the candidate for prime minister, but that Schult would apply for number 1 on the state list. The list of states will be drawn up at another meeting in late January.
According to his own statements, Holm wants to give up his place on the state list and rely entirely on winning an outright mandate in the Schwerin constituency of Schwesig. It’s not an easy constituency, but if the AfD beats Schwesig in its own constituency, the party will also lead the state government in Schwerin, he said.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251123-930-328379/1
