Mario Voigt: Thuringia’s CDU Leader and the Battle for the Political Centre

ERFURT, 28 January 2026 – Dr Mario Voigt, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politician who became Minister-President of Thuringia in December 2024, represents a new breed of conservative leadership in eastern Germany. His ascent to power, via an unprecedented three-party “blackberry coalition,” highlights the complex political realignments and the persistent challenge of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the region.

From Opposition Leader to Minister-President

Mario Voigt, born 8 February 1977 in Jena, has been a fixture in Thuringian politics for over a decade. A political scientist by training with experience in the United States, he rose through the CDU ranks, becoming leader of the party’s parliamentary group in the state legislature (Landtag) in 2020. For years, he led the opposition against the left-wing minority government of Bodo Ramelow (The Left). The political landscape shifted dramatically after the state election on 1 September 2024, where the AfD emerged as the strongest party with 32 seats, followed by the CDU (23), the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) (15), The Left (12), and the SPD (6). With no party able to govern alone and the CDU maintaining its refusal to cooperate with either the AfD or The Left, Voigt embarked on difficult negotiations.

The “Blackberry Coalition”: A Novel Political Construct

To break the deadlock, Voigt forged Germany’s first-ever “blackberry coalition” (Brombeerkoalition)—an alliance of the CDU (black), SPD (red), and the left-populist BSW (purple). This trio held 44 of the Landtag’s 88 seats, one short of a majority. To secure his election as Minister-President on 12 December 2024 and avoid dependence on AfD votes, Voigt’s coalition struck a last-minute agreement with The Left party. In a secret ballot, he received 51 votes, achieving the required absolute majority with support from Left MPs who abstained or voted in his favour to block the AfD. This delicate arrangement underscored the extreme fragmentation of Thuringia’s politics and the lengths to which democratic parties would go to prevent the far-right from gaining executive power.

Key Facts: Mario Voigt and Thuringian Politics

The Voigt Doctrine: Confronting the AfD with Content

Voigt’s political philosophy is defined by his approach to the AfD. He criticises what he calls “left-wing outrage rhetoric” as insufficient, arguing that simply labelling the AfD as extremist pushes protest voters further into its arms. Instead, he advocates politically “cornering” the party on substantive issues like migration policy, energy costs, and economic competitiveness. “Anyone who wants to weaken the AfD must confront them politically, not with parliamentary tricks,” Voigt stated in a 2024 interview. This stance has drawn criticism from rivals who accuse him of normalising the far-right and employing populist rhetoric himself, particularly in his sharp attacks on the federal “traffic light” coalition in Berlin.

Governing a Fractured State

Voigt’s ministry begins against a backdrop of significant challenges. Thuringia has one of Germany’s weakest economies, and his coalition is divided on fundamental issues, most notably the BSW’s opposition to arms deliveries to Ukraine. Furthermore, the spectre of the AfD, whose regional association is officially classified as a “proven right-wing extremist” group by Germany’s domestic intelligence service, looms over every parliamentary manoeuvre. Voigt’s task is to demonstrate that a centrist, reform-oriented government can deliver stability and address the grievances that have fuelled the AfD’s rise, all while managing a precarious three-party alliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a “blackberry coalition”?

It is a term coined for a three-party coalition between the CDU (black), the SPD (red), and the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) (purple). The name derives from the colours of the blackberry fruit at different stages of ripeness. The Voigt cabinet is the first such coalition in Germany.

How does Mario Voigt view cooperation with the AfD?

Voigt has repeatedly and unequivocally ruled out any formal coalition or cooperation with the AfD, adhering to the CDU’s national “firewall” (Brandmauer) policy. However, he does not rule out the AfD voting for CDU-sponsored legislation on a case-by-case basis, a stance that has sparked controversy.

What is Thuringia’s political significance in Germany?

Thuringia is often seen as a political bellwether, especially for eastern Germany. It was the first state where The Left won a state election (2014) and where the AfD became the strongest party (2024). Its complex politics, with a strong far-right presence and a fragmented centre, make it a testing ground for new political alliances and strategies.