Höcke proposes Wagenknecht as Minister-President for Thuringia

The move comes at a time when the majority situation in the Thuringian state parliament is highly complicated. The AfD is the strongest parliamentary group after the most recent state election, but has so far lacked the necessary partners to form a government on its own. The BSW plays a role as a possible coalition partner, although the substantive common ground with the AfD is limited.

Wagenknecht herself, based on her previous public statements, has repeatedly positioned herself against cooperation with the AfD. Her alliance had emphasized during the election campaign that it did not want to enter into coalitions with the AfD. It therefore remains uncertain whether Höcke's move will find a receptive audience.

Reactions and majority situation

The CDU, which also has a parliamentary group in the Thuringian state parliament, has so far ruled out any form of cooperation with the AfD. The Union parties see themselves in the tradition of the firewall against the right. As a result, the AfD lacks a realistic majority in parliament for either its own female or male candidate.

With his proposal, Höcke is sending a political signal and coupling it with the constitutional argument that parliament has the right to elect a successor. He evidently sees this as a formal way to open up political majority-building in favor of a joint candidate with the BSW.

The state constitution of Thuringia stipulates that a successor would have to be elected with the majority of the members of the state parliament. This means that a broad coalition of several parliamentary groups would be necessary. A election with the votes of the AfD alone would not be possible.

Looking at Saxony-Anhalt and federal politics

Political observers rate the move as unusual. In the history of the Federal Republic, it is rare for an opposition party to openly put forward a candidate from another party for the highest state office. Such a procedure is customary at most with non-partisan personalities who do not come from parliament.

Should the BSW reject the proposal, the AfD would be left with only the option of fielding its own female or male candidates. But even then, a majority would have to be organized in the state parliament, which is currently not in sight. The governing coalition of CDU and BSW under Minister-President Mario Voigt has come under pressure following the public emergence of the move.

In Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD is likewise the strongest force, government formation is similarly difficult. There too, the other parties have so far shown no willingness to coalition with the AfD. According to political observers, the Thuringian move could also have a signaling effect beyond the state's borders.

It remains unclear whether Wagenknecht will respond to the proposal. Her alliance has not publicly commented on Höcke's remarks so far. Observers consider this an indication that a quick response is not to be expected.