In the electoral second round, Ramelow received with 46 of 91 votes the necessary majority in the regional parliament.

In the first round, the socialist received only 45 votes, with a void vote and an abstention. Shortly, after the publication of the result, Ramelow was sworn by the president of the parliament, the Christian Democrat Christian Carius.

In its first speech like government chief, Ramelow emphasized that despite of all the politic differences he will advocate a good relation with the opposition.

The situation in Thuringia is polarized enough after the Christian Democrats organized several declarations against the foreseeable Ramelow election, considering it to be a 'communist danger'.(KH)