AfD leader Höcke proposes seeking non-partisan premier with BSW party

Thuringia's AfD leader Björn Höcke has proposed a political alliance with the BSW party, led by Sahra Wagenknecht, to find a candidate for state premier independent of any party. Höcke made the appeal in an open letter to BSW lawmakers in the Thuringian state parliament.

This move comes after the BSW's federal board passed a resolution instructing its state faction to withdraw support from the current premier, Mario Voigt of the CDU. The BSW board stated that the party should not enable a leader perceived to prioritize personal interests over the state's welfare. They urged the Thuringian BSW to back an over-party premier who could govern with shifting parliamentary majorities.

Höcke had previously suggested Wagenknecht herself could be a candidate, but she declined, citing that most BSW lawmakers in the state parliament would not support her. He is now embracing the BSW's call for a non-partisan figure, emphasizing that inter-factional talks are a normal part of parliamentary democracy and inviting BSW lawmakers for a meeting.

Premier Voigt is under political pressure after Chemnitz University of Technology revoked his doctorate. The AfD faction is reportedly preparing a constructive no-confidence vote, which would require electing a successor with an absolute majority. The current CDU-led coalition, which includes the BSW and SPD, lacks its own majority and relies on opposition votes for legislation.