Suhl – Schmalkalden-Meiningen IV is an electoral constituency (German: Wahlkreis) represented in the Landtag of Thuringia. It elects one member via first-past-the-post voting. Under the current constituency numbering system, it is designated as constituency 21. It covers the urban district of Suhl and a small part of Schmalkalden-Meiningen.
Suhl – Schmalkalden-Meiningen IV was created for the 1994 state election, replacing the constituency of Suhl, which covered only the city of Suhl. Originally named Suhl – Schmalkalden-Meiningen III, it was given its current name in 2014. Since 2024, it has been represented by Thomas Luhn of Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Geography As of the 2019 state election, Suhl – Schmalkalden-Meiningen IV covers the urban district of Suhl (excluding Gehlberg and Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig) and a small part of Schmalkalden-Meiningen, specifically the municipalities of Oberhof and Zella-Mehlis (excluding Benshausen).
Members The constituency was held by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from its creation in 1994 until 2004. Its first representative was Werner Ulbrich, who served from 1994 to 1999, followed by Wolfgang Wehner (1999–2004). It was won by the Party of Democratic Socialism in 2004, and represented by Ina Leukefeld. She was re-elected as a candidate for The Left in 2009 and 2014, and the seat was then held by Philipp Weltzien of The Left in 2019. In 2024, Thomas Luhn of Alternative for Germany won the seat.
Election Member Party % 1994 Werner Ulbrich CDU 36.0 1999 Wolfgang Wehner CDU 43.8 2004 Ina Leukefeld PDS 42.6 2009 LINKE 39.4 2014 40.7 2019 Philipp Weltzien LINKE 30.7 2024 Thomas Luhn AfD 32.8
Election results 2024 election
2019 election
2014 election
2009 election
2004 election
1999 election
1994 election
References