CDU's Hoffmann narrowly defeats far-right candidate in Aue-Bad Schlema mayoral runoff

The runoff result

Marcus Hoffmann, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) candidate, won the mayoral election in Aue-Bad Schlema on Sunday, defeating Stefan Hartung of the far-right Freie Sachsen party. Hoffmann received 5,007 votes (52.7 percent) to Hartung's 4,499 (47.3 percent), a margin of 508 votes. Voter turnout reached 61.7 percent. The result keeps the town of 19,000 residents in CDU hands; the outgoing mayor, Heinrich Kohl (CDU), has held the office since 1999 and is stepping down due to age.

A race that drew national attention

The election attracted coverage beyond Saxony, including a report by the New York Times. In the first round on 10 May, Hartung led the field of five candidates with 29.0 percent but fell short of the required absolute majority. The runoff reversed that order. Hartung had been ahead on Sunday until mail-in ballots were counted; those ballots broke heavily for Hoffmann, with less than a third of postal voters backing the Freie Sachsen candidate.

He was not elected for himself and his programme by many, but out of necessity, I would say. That is unfortunately not a good omen.

Who are the Freie Sachsen?

Saxony's domestic intelligence agency and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution both classify the Freie Sachsen as a right-wing extremist organisation. The party has around 1,200 members and is described by authorities as a grouping of neo-National Socialists, functionaries of Die Heimat (formerly the NPD), and other far-right figures. It advocates for greater autonomy for Saxony, including a potential "Säxit" — a reference to Brexit — and defines Saxony not by its current borders but by those of the former kingdom. The party organises torchlit marches against asylum-seeker accommodation and, according to the federal agency, views political processes primarily as a tool to prepare a system change.

Their anti-constitutional activities are directed against the existence of the federal state.

Hartung's platform and past

Hartung, 37, is a co-founder and deputy leader of the Freien Sachsen and previously served as a functionary for the NPD. He sits on both the town council and the district council. At a Freie Sachsen rally in January 2025, he outlined plans to declare an asylum emergency on his first day in office, issue an ultimatum to the immigration authority and interior ministry, and organise citizen militias if the ultimatum was not met.

We have to make it clear that Aue remains our city and not the city of the invaders.

What comes next

Hoffmann, 41, works in the town's building department, is married, and has two children. He takes office for a seven-year term. Despite the polarised campaign, he signalled a willingness to work with Hartung in the city council. Aue-Bad Schlema, located in the Erzgebirge region known for its mining tradition, handicrafts, and winter sports, will host the Saxon State Garden Show next year.

Yes, of course, we have to work together. Specifically in the city council.