With the leftist-populist BSW projected to be third-strongest party in Thuringia, BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht hinted at seeking a coalition with the conservative CDU.

"We very much hope that we can eventually get a good government with the CDU — probably also with the [center-left] SPD," Wagenknecht told Germany's state broadcaster ARD.

Exit polls in the state's Sunday election put the CDU a distant second behind the far-right AfD. 

Wagenknecht once again dismissed the idea of ruling together with the AfD, and denounced radical leader Björn Höcke over his nationalistic worldview.

At the same time, Wagenknecht said the BSW would need to see changes in Germany's foreign policy before joining a state government. In line with her previous statements about pursuing talks over the Ukraine war, the leftist leader said there should be more "peace and diplomacy."

"This will be our conditions for a government," she said.