2014 Saxony state election
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| 2014 Saxony state election | |
|---|---|
 Laurence Chaperon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source | |
| Election name | 2014 Saxony state election |
| Country | Saxony |
| Type | parliamentary |
| Previous election | 2009 Saxony state election |
| Previous year | 2009 |
| Next election | 2019 Saxony state election |
| Next year | 2019 |
| Seats for election | All 126 seats in the Landtag of Saxony |
| Majority seats | 64 |
| Election date | 31 August 2014 |
| Turnout | 49.2% (5.8 pp) |
| Leader1 | Stanislaw Tillich |
| Party1 | CDU |
| Seats1 | 59 |
| Popular vote1 | 645,344 |
| Percentage1 | 39.4% |
| Leader2 | Martin Dulig |
| Party2 | SPD |
| Seats2 | 18 |
| Popular vote2 | 202,374 |
| Percentage2 | 12.4% |
| Leader3 | Antje Hermenau |
| Party3 | Greens |
| Popular vote3 | 93,582 |
| Percentage3 | 5.7% |
| Image4 | 150px |
| Leader4 | Holger Szymanski |
| Party4 | The Left |
| Seats4 | 27 |
| Popular vote4 | 309,568 |
| Percentage4 | 18.9% |
| Image5 | 150px |
| Leader5 | Frauke Petry |
| Party5 | AfD |
| Seats5 | 14 |
| Popular vote5 | 159,547 |
| Percentage5 | 9.7% |
| Title | Minister-President |
| Before election | Stanislaw Tillich |
| Before party | CDU |
| After election | Stanislaw Tillich |
| After party | CDU |
2014 Saxony state election was held on 31 August 2014 to elect the members of the sixth Landtag of Saxony. The election was conducted under the Mixed-member proportional representation system. The governing coalition, led by Minister-President Stanislaw Tillich of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, sought to renew its mandate against a fragmented opposition. The vote was notable for the strong debut of the Alternative for Germany and a significant decline in support for the Free Democratic Party (Germany).
Background
The preceding 2009 Saxony state election had resulted in a second grand coalition between the Christian Democratic Union of Germany and the Social Democratic Party of Germany under Minister-President Stanislaw Tillich. This administration, formed after the collapse of the previous CDU/CSU and Free Democratic Party (Germany) coalition at the federal level, governed throughout the 16th Bundestag and into the 17th Bundestag. Key issues during the legislative period included debates over Stuttgart 21, energy policy following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, and rising public concern over immigration. The political landscape was further shaped by the emergence of the Pirate Party Germany and the founding of the Alternative for Germany in 2013.
Parties and candidates
The incumbent Minister-President and lead candidate for the Christian Democratic Union of Germany was Stanislaw Tillich. The Social Democratic Party of Germany was led by its state chairman, Martin Dulig. The Left (Germany) presented Holger Szymanski as its top candidate, while Alliance 90/The Greens were led by veteran politician Antje Hermenau. The newly formed Alternative for Germany, focusing on Eurozone criticism and conservative values, was fronted by Frauke Petry and Alexander Gauland. Other parties contesting included the Free Democratic Party (Germany), the National Democratic Party of Germany, and the Pirate Party Germany.
Campaign
The Christian Democratic Union of Germany campaign emphasized economic stability, infrastructure projects like the Dresden Airport expansion, and the leadership of Stanislaw Tillich. The Social Democratic Party of Germany and The Left (Germany) focused on social justice, criticizing reforms like Agenda 2010 and advocating for higher minimum wages. The Alternative for Germany gained traction by opposing the European Central Bank's policies and the European debt crisis bailouts. Key events included televised debates on Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk and rallies across cities like Leipzig, Chemnitz, and Dresden.
Opinion polling
Throughout 2013 and 2014, major institutes like Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, Infratest dimap, and Emnid conducted regular surveys. Polls consistently showed the Christian Democratic Union of Germany leading with support between 37% and 42%, while the Social Democratic Party of Germany and The Left (Germany) vied for second place. The Alternative for Germany saw a rapid rise in polling numbers, frequently surpassing the 5% Electoral threshold needed for representation. Support for the Free Democratic Party (Germany) and the Pirate Party Germany collapsed, placing them below the critical threshold in most surveys.
Results
Voter turnout was 49.2%, a decrease from the previous election. The Christian Democratic Union of Germany remained the largest party but saw its vote share fall to 39.4%, securing 59 seats. The Left (Germany) became the second-largest faction with 18.9% and 27 seats. The Social Democratic Party of Germany declined to 12.4% and 18 seats. The Alternative for Germany entered the Landtag of Saxony with 9.7% and 14 seats. Alliance 90/The Greens narrowly cleared the threshold with 5.7% and 8 seats. The Free Democratic Party (Germany) was ejected from the parliament, receiving only 3.8% of the vote.
Aftermath
Following the election, coalition negotiations began between the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, the Social Democratic Party of Germany, and Alliance 90/The Greens. These talks resulted in the formation of Germany's first-ever CDU/CSU, Social Democratic Party of Germany, and Alliance 90/The Greens coalition at the state level, known as a Kenya coalition. Stanislaw Tillich was re-elected as Minister-President of Saxony by the new Landtag of Saxony in November 2014. The success of the Alternative for Germany in Saxony marked a significant shift in the German party system, influencing subsequent elections like the 2014 Thuringia state election and the 2014 Brandenburg state election.
Category:2014 elections in Germany elections in Saxony state elections Saxony state election