The CDU in Saxony has a lot to talk about following its latest defeat to the AfD in the federal elections in the state. The situation in the party and society is also likely to play a major role at the CDU's political Ash Wednesday in Bautzen. Local CDU member of the state parliament Marko Schiemann, the only member of the Saxon state parliament since 1990, has invited his party colleague and former president of the state parliament Matthias Rößler to be the keynote speaker.
In addition, the Hungarian ambassador to Germany, Péter Györkös, is due to give a speech. The venue for the 31st edition of the political Ash Wednesday is once again the Stadthalle Krone in Bautzen. Guests at previous events have included former President of the Bundestag Norbert Lammert, the former President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Charlotte Knobloch, and former Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU).
The AfD clearly won the parliamentary elections in Saxony. The party, which has been classified as right-wing extremist by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in the Free State of Saxony, received 37.3% of the second votes, leaving the CDU behind with 19.7%. It also won all but one direct mandate - a previous domain of the CDU/CSU.
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