AfD proposes Wagenknecht as Thuringia premier

In August 2026, during the German state election campaign, the AfD's Björn Höcke proposed Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of the BSW, as Thuringia's minister-president. This move is seen as a strategic offer to gain political influence, though Wagenknecht has not yet responded. Meanwhile, other parties like the CDU and SPD are campaigning against the AfD, with some SPD figures even calling for a ban on the party. Polls show the AfD gaining support in states like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, potentially affecting coalition options.