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Ahead of state election, Saxony-Anhalt leader Schulze seeks direct voter contact
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany /Elections & Politics

Ahead of state election, Saxony-Anhalt leader Schulze seeks direct voter contact

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Saxony-Anhalt's Minister-President, Sven Schulze, engaged with citizens four weeks before the state election.
  • Schulze spoke with voters outside a supermarket, discussing issues like finances and receiving small gifts.
  • Recent polls show the AfD leading significantly, with Schulze's CDU trailing behind.

Sven Schulze, the Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt and lead candidate for the CDU, actively campaigned on the ground four weeks before the state election. He engaged directly with citizens outside a supermarket in Magdeburg, offering conversations, informational materials, and small gifts like orange marmalade and pens.

This is real campaigning. Here are the people in the middle of their real lives, very different from social media for example, where they quickly write hate comments.

โ€” Sven SchulzeMinister-President Schulze described his street campaigning efforts.

Schulze described the interactions as "real campaigning," contrasting them with social media's tendency for hateful comments. He noted that people were open and sometimes critical. Dressed casually in a shirt, jeans, and sneakers, Schulze approached passersby and those waiting at a bus stop, with one young man requesting a photo.

You all have no money.

โ€” A pensionerA retiree's comment to Schulze about financial concerns.

Discussions frequently revolved around financial concerns, with one retiree remarking on people's lack of money. Schulze emphasized the importance of visibility during street campaigning and pledged to speak with more people before the September 6 election, stating, "I will fight to move forward." However, recent polls indicate the AfD is significantly ahead with 41% of the vote, followed by the CDU at 24%, the Left party at 13%, and the SPD at 7%.

It is my nature to easily get into conversation.

โ€” Sven SchulzeSchulze explaining his approach to engaging with voters.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.