Election duel: Right-wing extremist attacks OB post in Aue

Politically, the party is calling for more autonomy for Saxony, including a "Säxit" if necessary - in reference to the UK's exit from the EU, known as Brexit. Saxony is understood not only in its current borders, but also in those of the former kingdom.

This is what Hartung himself says - and refers to the "cityscape" debate

As a city councillor, he has only been able to exert limited influence so far, says Hartung. For the interview, he suggested a snack bar in the city center with his likeness emblazoned on it. "I want to finally take the reins of action myself." There is a high density of asylum seekers in Aue, he complains. This has caused problems in the city center in the past. When asked, he cannot say how high the proportion of foreigners is.

"Everyone who comes here to work is welcome," says Hartung. In his opinion, however, immigrants who do not work should not receive social benefits. "I don't want Aue-Bad Schlema to become a multicultural melting pot." He refers to the controversial cityscape statement by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). "That is very true in Aue." In his election manifesto, Hartung also promises low parental contributions for kindergartens, the relocation of doctors and a reduction in administrative staff. He wants to cut out "old habits" in the town hall.

CDU candidate focuses on positive aspects - is that enough?

The city with a population of 19,000 was previously in CDU hands. Mayor Heinrich Kohl, born in 1956, has been the mayor of Aue since 1999; in 2019, he also won the election following the merger with the neighboring spa town of Bad Schlema. He is now retiring due to his age. The Christian Democrats have put Marcus Hoffmann in the running. The 41-year-old works in the town's building department. Just under one in four voters (23.6 percent) voted for him in the first round of voting.

What can he do to counter Hartung and the "Free Saxons"? "My main concern is that people see the potential in the city that I see," he says. He has just dismantled his campaign stand in Bad Schlema's spa gardens. The park is currently being spruced up and is expected to attract up to 400,000 visitors to the State Garden Show in 2027.

The focus is often on problems and the positive aspects and achievements are overlooked, Hoffmann regrets. "We need to create a positive dynamic again." He fears that companies that want to be cosmopolitan will avoid the city and the region in future if a right-wing extremist is in charge of the town hall. This also applies to tourists in the Ore Mountains, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a mining region.

"Not everyone who votes for Stefan Hartung is right-wing extremist," says the 41-year-old. But there was a lot of disinformation during the election campaign. He also wants to modernize the city administration. "We can speed up processes and digitalize more." However, there still needs to be a point of contact for citizens. The CDU man predicts that the election result on Sunday will be close.

Expert: shift to the right also delayed in the west

For political scientist Höhne, the situation in Aue-Bad Schlema is the rule rather than the exception. "Right-wing extremism and right-wing populism are a challenge for Germany as a whole," he clarifies. It's just that they are already more apparent in eastern German regions. "The developments we are seeing in the East will probably also occur in the West with a delay." This can already be seen in the growing voter support for the AfD in elections in the old federal states as well.

• Saxon Office for the Protection of the Constitution on the "Free Saxons"

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