AfD election assembly: Frohnmaier elected as Prime Minister candidate!

AfD election assembly: Frohnmaier elected as Prime Minister candidate!

On May 31, 2025, Markus Frohnmaier was elected top candidate for the state election 2026 at the election assembly of the Baden-Württemberg AfD in Heilbronn. He only received one vote on the vote. Frohnmaier, 34 years old, goes with the aim of becoming the Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg. However, the other parties exclude a coalition with the AfD, which significantly reduces Frohnmaier's chances of the office. The AfD in Baden-Württemberg shows current surveys at 19 percent, which makes it the third strongest party behind the Greens, which form a stronghold in the region.

Frohnmaier expressed himself optimistic and predicted the best result in the history of the Southwest AfD. He has been in the Bundestag since 2017, where he acts as deputy parliamentary group leader and foreign policy spokesman for the AfD. His political career began as the confidant of the former AfD chairman Frauke Petry, and he is considered a close confidante of Alice Weidel, the current federal chairman.

strategies and perspectives

In the run-up to the election, Frohnmaier presented an immediate program with nine points that should outline the measures of a possible AfD-led government in the first 100 days. This includes, among other things, an energy discount that is to be financed from climate protection through the detour of 400 million euros. He also plans a restrictive migration policy and a change of course in foreign policy, including increased trips to the USA and Russia.

Although Frohnmaier appears as a prime minister, he does not run for the state parliament and would like to continue his career in the Bundestag if he cannot attain the Prime Minister. This decision reflects the AfD internal strategy, which prefers a clear separation between parliament and the government. However, within the party there are different opinions about its suitability as a candidate.

election environment and rival parties

Baden-Württemberg is considered the stronghold of the Greens, which have been ruled by Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann since 2011. The CDU is in front of 31.6 percent in the current surveys and currently provides the Greens junior partner. In a current constituency analysis, the CDU has the upper hand in 36 of the 38 constituencies, while the Greens only won in three constituencies. In 40 communities, the AfD has the potential to become the strongest strength, which is a novelty in the political landscape of the country.

In addition, the SPD reaches 14.2 percent nationwide and the FDP 5.6 percent. The election surveys also show that the turnout varies greatly, which tends to be lower in urban areas such as Mannheim. These individual parameters create a complex environment for the upcoming elections and show the dynamic political landscape in Baden-Württemberg.

In this changing political context, it remains to be seen whether Frohnmaier with his strategy and his team can gain the voter for voter. His path to the chief position will not only depend on his ability to mobilize the voters, but also on the election strategy of its competitors.

SWR reports that ... Süddeutsche offers insights over ... and the Staatsanzeiger analyzes the political map of Baden-Württemberg.