Gotha – Ilm-Kreis is an electoral constituency (German: Wahlkreis) represented in the Bundestag. It elects one member via first-past-the-post voting. Under the current constituency numbering system, it is designated as constituency 191. It is located in west-central Thuringia, comprising the districts of Gotha and Ilm-Kreis.
Gotha – Ilm-Kreis was created for the inaugural 1990 federal election after German reunification. Since 2021, it has been represented by Marcus Bühl of the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Geography Gotha – Ilm-Kreis is located in west-central Thuringia. As of the 2021 federal election, it comprises the districts of Gotha and Ilm-Kreis.
History Gotha – Ilm-Kreis was created after German reunification in 1990, then known as Gotha – Arnstadt. It acquired its current name in the 2002 election. In the 1990 through 1998 elections, it was constituency 299 in the numbering system. In the 2002 and 2005 elections, it was number 193. In the 2009 through 2021 elections, it was number 192. From the 2025 election, it has been number 191.
Originally, the constituency comprised the districts of Gotha and Arnstadt. It acquired its current borders in the 2002 election.
Election Name Borders 1990 299 Gotha – Arnstadt Gotha district Arnstadt district 1994 1998 2002 193 Gotha – Ilm-Kreis Gotha district Ilm-Kreis district 2005 2009 192 2013 2017 2021 2025 191
Members The constituency was first represented by Gerhard Päselt of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 1990 to 1998. Gerhard Neumann won it for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in 1998 and served a single term. He was succeeded by fellow SPD member Petra Heß from 2002 to 2009. Tankred Schipanski of the CDU was elected in 2009, and re-elected in 2013 and 2017. Marcus Bühl won the constituency for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in 2021.
Election Member Party % 1990 Gerhard Päselt CDU 46.7 1994 43.1 1998 Gerhard Neumann SPD 40.1 2002 Petra Heß SPD 41.8 2005 37.2 2009 Tankred Schipanski CDU 29.1 2013 38.3 2017 29.0 2021 Marcus Bühl AfD 26.5 2025 41.2
Election results
2025 election
2021 election
2017 election
2013 election
2009 election
2005 election
References