Greiz II is one of 44 electoral constituencies (German: Wahlkreise) represented in the Landtag of Thuringia, which usually has twice as many members, 88.
As of the 2019 state election, Greiz II covers the eastern part of the district of Greiz, specifically the municipalities of Berga/Elster, Bethenhausen, Brahmenau, Braunichswalde, Endschütz, Gauern, Greiz, Großenstein, Hilbersdorf, Hirschfeld, Kauern, Korbußen, Linda b. Weida, Mohlsdorf-Teichwolframsdorf, Neumühle/Elster, Paitzdorf, Pölzig, Reichstädt, Ronneburg, Rückersdorf, Schwaara, Seelingstädt, Teichwitz, and Wünschendorf/Elster.
The 2024 Thuringian state election on September 1 was different for Greiz II district due to the first time candidacy of Björn Höcke, leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, and arguably its most controversial figure nation-wide.
Also, the leading party in the state, The Left (Germany), had split up in winter, creating Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW).
Since 2014, Höcke ran twice in Eichsfeld I, a catholic region with a firm CDU 50+% majority, and became member of state parliament due to his high and "safe" position on the AfD party list, number 1.
Due to these lists, even the top figures of small 5+% parties will become parliament members, without running in a district, or doing there very poorly.
The AfD had won 23.4% of the popular vote, and 22 of 90 seats, eleven each direct and from list.
The growing success of the AfD, which became the leading party in polls, but due to more than two parties being involved at only 30+%, thus might have led to the strange case of leading AfD politicians not making the parliament any-more via list, only if they win a district.
As it turned out, in 2024 the AfD came in first with 32.8% of the popular vote, 32 of 88 seats, 29 direct, and three from the list, for Höcke and two others.
Yellow background denotes an electorate win by a list member, or other incumbent.