A heated debate between the Thuringian CDU leader Mario Voigt and AfD right-winger Björn Höcke took place on Thursday evening on the TV channel Welt. The two candidates engaged in a personal attack against each other, accusing each other of damaging Germany and the German economy. Voigt accused Höcke of being poison for the country, while Höcke accused Voigt of being populist and not understanding his arguments, especially on the topic of migration.
The debate was sparked by a dispute on social media regarding European policy. The moderators, Tatjana Ohm and Jan Philipp Burgard, facilitated a discussion on Europe as the first controversial topic of the debate. Voigt warned of the consequences of Höcke’s European policy ideas, stating that dismantling the European Union would be disastrous for Germany. On the other hand, Höcke advocated for Germany to leave the EU and form a loose alliance of European states.
The discussion also touched on various issues such as migration policy, economic situation, and culture of remembrance. Voigt emphasized the need to eliminate illegal migration while Höcke used vague language to suggest a return of German emigrants to the country. The debate also highlighted Höcke’s use of controversial language, including his defense of using Nazi slogans like “Everything for Germany.”
The TV duel received mixed reactions due to its timing during the anniversary of Buchenwald concentration camp liberation day and providing a platform for Höcke who is considered a right-wing extremist. The upcoming elections in Thuringia where Voigt and Höcke are running as top candidates for their respective parties add significance to their outcome.
As per recent surveys, AfD is leading with CDU closely behind them while current Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow is seeking re-election.
Overall, it was clear that both candidates had very different views on how Germany should handle various issues such as migration policy and economic growth. Their heated exchange only served to further highlight these differences and may have made it more difficult for voters to make an informed decision about which candidate they support in upcoming elections.
It will be interesting to see how voters respond to these differing opinions when they go to cast their ballots in September’s elections in Thuringia.