Koalition: Vor Misstrauensvotum – Voigt als CDU-Landeschef wiedergewählt

Thüringens Ministerpräsident Mario Voigt, 49, has been re-elected as the leader of the CDU in the eastern German state of Thuringia, despite facing pressure due to the revocation of his doctorate. During the party congress in Eisenach, Voigt secured 82.4% of the votes, with no opposition candidate. This election also served as a sentiment gauge to determine the support he has within his party.

Voigt is expected to face a confidence motion from the AfD faction on Friday, the second such motion this year. AfD faction leader Björn Höcke accused Voigt of lacking moral integrity during a debate, with Höcke planning to run for the minister-presidency himself. Voigt, who has been under pressure to defend his doctorate which was revoked, finds himself in an internal dilemma.

While he wishes to defend his academic work, he knows that it would be exploited by political opponents for attacks. Voigt urged the delegates before the vote, "We do not let Thuringia descend into chaos," and the delegates gave him applause for a brief moment. Voigt has been leading a coalition government of CDU, BSW, and SPD, which currently faces a tough time due to a direction conflict within the BSW.

He has been the CDU Landeshauptmann of Thuringia since 2022 and the Ministerpräsident since 2024. His so-called 'currant vine' coalition has no majority in the Landtag, only 44 out of 88 votes. To break the deadlock, they must compromise with the oppositional left.