Burgenland – Saalekreis 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 72. It is located in southern Saxony-Anhalt, comprising the Burgenlandkreis distinct and eastern parts of the Saalekreis district.
Burgenland – Saalekreis was created for the inaugural 1990 federal election after German reunification. From 2009 to 2025, it was represented by Dieter Stier of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Since 2025 it has been represented by Martin Reichardt of the AfD.
Geography Burgenland – Saalekreis is located in southern Saxony-Anhalt. As of the 2025 federal election, it comprises the entirety of the Burgenlandkreis district and the municipalities of Bad Dürrenberg, Braunsbedra, Leuna, Merseburg, and Schkopau from Saalekreis district.
History Burgenland – Saalekreis was created after German reunification in 1990, then known as Zeitz – Hohenmölsen – Naumburg – Nebra. In the 2002 and 2005 elections, it was named Burgenland. It acquired its current name in the 2009 election. In the 1990 through 1998 elections, it was constituency 294 in the numbering system. In the 2002 through 2009 elections, it was number 74. In the 2013 through 2021 elections, it was number 73. From the 2025 election, it has been number 72.
Originally, it comprised the districts of Zeitz, Hohenmölsen, Naumburg, and Nebra. It acquired its current borders in the 2002 election, but without the municipality of Merseburg. Merseburg was acquired ahead of the 2025 election.
Election Name Borders 1990 294 Zeitz – Hohenmölsen – Naumburg – Nebra Zeitz district Hohenmölsen district Naumburg district Nebra district 1994 1998 2002 74 Burgenland Burgenlandkreis district Saalekreis district (only Bad Dürrenberg, Braunsbedra, Leuna, and Schkopau municipalities) 2005 2009 Burgenland – Saalekreis 2013 73 2017 2021 2025 72 Burgenlandkreis district Saalekreis district (only Bad Dürrenberg, Braunsbedra, Leuna, Merseburg, and Schkopau municipalities)
Members The constituency was first represented by Harald Schreiber of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 1990 to 1994, followed by Margarete Späte from 1994 to 1998. It was won by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in 1998, and Eckhart Lewering served until 2005, followed by Maik Reichel until 2009. Dieter Stier of the CDU was elected in 2009, and re-elected in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
Election Member Party % 1990 Harald Schreiber CDU 45.5 1994 Margarete Späte CDU 43.6 1998 Eckhart Lewering SPD 38.6 2002 35.5 2005 Maik Reichel SPD 31.6 2009 Dieter Stier CDU 33.0 2013 44.8 2017 34.0 2021 26.3 2025 Martin Reichardt AfD 44.4
Election results
2025
2021
2017
2013
2009
2005 election
References