According to an election researcher analysis, the CDU in Saxony owes its success in the state elections to its Minister President Michael Kretschmer and the expertise attributed to him. The CDU election result was "based on a mix of a strong lead candidate, expertise and the desire for CDU government leadership", writes Forschungsgruppe Wahlen. The AfD and BSW were successful "without much of their own doing".
Pulling horse Kretschmer brings CDU electoral success
Kretschmer has lost some of his pulling power. However, his rating on a +5/-5 scale was a positive 1.7 (2019: 2.3). His AfD rival Jörg Urban, on the other hand, has a negative image with minus 1.1 (2019: minus 0.8). According to the election researchers, 72% of Saxons believe the Minister President is doing a good job. "Ultimately, 65% want Kretschmer as head of government, only 23% are in favor of Urban."