Berger runs for the office of Prime Minister

Matthias Berger is running for the office of Minister President in Saxony as the candidate of the Free Voters. The 56-year-old made his candidacy official at a press conference in Dresden. "I have the confidence to do it," said Berger. He added that the Free Voters had entered the race out of deep dissatisfaction with the situation in the state. "We need courage for a real new start and courage for togetherness instead of exclusion."

The new Saxon Minister President is to be elected in the state parliament next Wednesday (18 December). The incumbent Michael Kretschmer (CDU) is standing for the CDU. However, the minority government he is seeking with the SPD is ten votes short of an absolute majority, which is required in the first round of voting. Berger is assuming an open race. However, the AfD had already signaled that it would not support him.