The German Association of Cities has reacted with concern to the victory of the AfD candidate in the mayoral election in Pirna. "The citizens of Pirna have decided. That is democracy, but the result is very worrying for us at the German Association of Cities. Because it shows that a rift is running through our society in many places at a time when we need more cohesion and joint commitment in order to master the changes and challenges we are facing," explained President Markus Lewe in Berlin on Monday.
On Sunday, Tim Lochner became the first AfD candidate to win a mayoral election in Germany. The 53-year-old beat CDU candidate Kathrin Dollinger-Knuth and the independent Ralf Thiele, who ran for the Free Voters, in the second round of voting. Lochner himself is also independent and, by his own admission, does not want to join the AfD. The AfD state association in Saxony was recently classified by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a secure right-wing extremist organization.
"We are aware of the people in our cities who are tired of the crisis and no longer want to or can no longer follow some political discussions. They must be our focus. They are the ones we have to take with us in the many changes we are facing," emphasized Lewe. This will not succeed with parties that represent extremist positions. Extremist parties aim to divide society and stir up fear and insecurity. What is needed more than ever is the exchange and reconciliation of different interests. The federal and state governments must therefore involve local authorities much more than before in political decision-making processes.
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