Saalfeld-Rudolstadt – Saale-Holzland-Kreis – Saale-Orla-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 194. It is located in eastern Thuringia, comprising the districts of Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, Saale-Holzland-Kreis, and Saale-Orla-Kreis.
Saalfeld-Rudolstadt – Saale-Holzland-Kreis – Saale-Orla-Kreis was created for the 2002 federal election. Since 2021, it has been represented by Michael Kaufmann of Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Geography Saalfeld-Rudolstadt – Saale-Holzland-Kreis – Saale-Orla-Kreis is located in eastern Thuringia. As of the 2021 federal election, it comprises the districts of Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, Saale-Holzland-Kreis, and Saale-Orla-Kreis.
History Saalfeld-Rudolstadt – Saale-Holzland-Kreis – Saale-Orla-Kreis was created in 2002, then known as Sonneberg – Saalfeld-Rudolstadt – Saale-Orla-Kreis. It acquired its current name in the 2017 election. In the 2002 election, it was constituency 198 in the numbering system. In the 2005 election, it was number 197. In the 2009 and 2013 elections, it was number 196. In the 2017 and 2021 elections, it was number 195. From the 2025 election, it has been number 194.
Originally, the constituency comprised the districts of Sonneberg, Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, and Saale-Orla-Kreis. It acquired its current borders in the 2017 election.
Election Name Borders 2002 198 Sonneberg – Saalfeld-Rudolstadt – Saale-Orla-Kreis Sonneberg district Saalfeld-Rudolstadt district Saale-Orla-Kreis district 2005 197 2009 196 2013 2017 195 Saalfeld-Rudolstadt – Saale-Holzland-Kreis – Saale-Orla-Kreis Saalfeld-Rudolstadt district Saale-Holzland-Kreis district Saale-Orla-Kreis district 2021 2025 194
Members The constituency was first represented by Christine Lehder of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) from 2002 to 2005, followed by Gerhard Botz of the SPD from 2005 to 2009. Carola Stauche of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) was representative from 2009 to 2017. Albert Weiler was elected in the 2017 election. The constituency was won by Michael Kaufmann of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in 2021.
Election Member Party % 2002 Christine Lehder SPD 41.6 2005 Gerhard Botz SPD 30.2 2009 Carola Stauche CDU 31.9 2013 41.1 2017 Albert Weiler CDU 30.9 2021 Michael Kaufmann AfD 29.3 2025 44.5
Election results
2025 election
2021 election
2017 election
2013 election
2009 election
2005 election
Notes
References