Campaigns Urge 'Tactical Voting' in German State Elections to Counter AfD Lead

Voters in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt are facing calls for "tactical voting" ahead of state elections on September 6. The aim is to prevent the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party from gaining power, as it currently leads in opinion polls.

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True love for the homeland is...

Two initiatives, "Compact" and "Taktisch Waehlen" (Vote Tactically), are actively campaigning. "Compact" plans to spend 620,000 euros on posters and mailers, while "Taktisch Waehlen" volunteers are going door-to-door. These groups recommend voting for the Green Party or the Social Democratic Party (SPD), particularly for candidates who are close to the five percent electoral threshold needed to enter the state parliament.

The "Taktisch Waehlen" initiative specifically advises against supporting the liberal FDP party, stating it is too far from the threshold and has an "unclear stance" on the AfD. They emphasize that the AfD could potentially form a state government for the first time, and the outcome may depend on how many parties cross the five percent mark.

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Vote strategically

Separately, an association called "Mehr als uns trennt" (More than separates us) launched a campaign under the slogan "True love for the homeland is...". This initiative is backed by prominent figures from culture, sports, science, and business, including actors Sandra Hüller and Christian Friedel. They highlight concerns that restricting immigration could weaken local healthcare, noting that about one-fifth of doctors in the region are foreign-born, a figure even higher in rural areas. The campaign also warns against the AfD's proposed exit from the European Union, citing economic analyses.

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Vote tactically