State election
CDU Saxony names Kretschmer as the top candidate
As expected, Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer was elected first on the CDU state list with 94.8 percent of the vote. photo
© Sebastian Kahnert/dpa
“There’s a lot at stake in this election,” says the CDU state leader with a view to the upcoming state elections – and spreads optimism: “I’m sure we’ll be the strongest force.”
Prime Minister and CDU state leader Michael Kretschmer is his party’s top candidate for the State election in Saxony on September 1st. As expected, the 48-year-old was elected to first place on the state list at a representative meeting of his party with 94.8 percent of the votes. The almost 200 delegates responded with rhythmic applause. Kretschmer spoke of a “great signal”. When he was nominated four years ago, he received 96.3 percent.
In a speech, Kretschmer swore the delegates on the election campaign. He spoke of a directional decision. “There’s a lot at stake in this election,” he said, spreading optimism: “I’m sure we’ll be the strongest force.” In the most recent polls, the AfD came in ahead of the CDU.
Kretschmer once again spoke out against a minority government. The background is the fact that the current coalition of the CDU, Greens and SPD no longer has a majority in surveys.
The SPD’s top candidate in Saxony is Social Affairs Minister Petra Köpping. At a state election conference in Frankenberg on Saturday, 96 percent of the delegates voted for it. In her speech, Köpping emphasized the solidarity of the people in Saxony. Even if the mood is currently bad, “it is up to us to give people confidence. Because the situation is better than their reputation.” The SPD stands for a policy that doesn’t complain.
Dresden city councilor Robert Malorny is running as the top candidate for the FDP, which wants to return to the state parliament after ten years. He received 92.8 percent of the votes at a representative meeting also on Saturday.