Sven Czekalla of the CDU won the runoff for the district leadership in Saalekreis, defeating AfD candidate Uwe Arendt with 54.3% of the vote.

Czekalla’s victory marks a significant turnaround after a disappointing first round, where he trailed behind Arendt. His success was bolstered by support from various parties, including the Left.

Czekalla emphasized that this election serves as a precursor to the upcoming state elections, asserting that it reflects a shift in voter sentiment and a potential boost for the CDU.