Uncertainty in Aue: Election Winner Cannot Take Office as Mayor

Election Decided After a Close, Neck-and-Neck Race

The election in Aue-Bad Schlema had caused a stir nationwide. This was because Hoffmann’s opponent, Stefan Hartung, a well-known neo-Nazi, had a shot at the top job at City Hall. The deputy leader of the Freie Sachsen party had been in the lead in the first round of voting but failed to secure an absolute majority. Christian Democrat Hoffmann ultimately won the second round in a neck-and-neck race. The decisive factor was the mail-in ballots. In total, Hoffmann received 5,007 votes, while Hartung received 4,499.

In their appeal, the Free Saxons list alleged legal violations during the election. Among other things, they express doubts about the results of the mail-in voting. According to the party, one ballot box was also not properly sealed.

The party also accuses District Administrator Rico Anton (CDU) of violating the requirement of neutrality. The issue concerns statements made in the media—the district administrator had, among other things, described Hartung as a proven extremist.