The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is on the verge of winning in Brandenburg's regional elections.

Local governments - The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is on the verge of winning in Brandenburg's regional elections.

In the recent Brandenburg municipal elections, the right-wing ALFA party (AfD) seemed poised to snatch their first win. With about 95% of the districts tallied, they gained 26.5%, which was 10.6% more than in the last elections. However, the Brandenburg Constitutional Protection Office had already labeled their state association as a suspected right-wing extremist back in 2020.

The CDU, on the other hand, managed to improve their standing to 19.2% in the county councils and city council assemblies of the four free cities, just narrowly edging out the Social Democrats (SPD) who managed 16.5%. The elections saw lots of anxiety, despite their difference from previous ones.

Potsdam and Potsdam-Mittelmark Democrats Ahead

In Potsdam, the SPD won the municipal elections just like in 2016, even as Mayor Mike Schubert (SPD) faced controversies over free VIP tickets for sports events. Interestingly, CDU led in Potsdam-Mittelmark.

The Left and Green parties suffered significant setbacks during the election. The Left got a dismal 7.7%, 6.4% points lower than before, and the Greens secured 6.4%, 4.6% points less than earlier. The Free Voters stayed steady at 7.2%, just one point higher than 2019. The Sahra Wagenknecht Bloc didn't enter these elections under that name but was part of local alliances instead.

Around 2.1 million citizens cast their votes across Brandenburg on Sunday, in the European elections and municipal elections. There was a noticeable increase in voter turnout compared to 2019.

AfD Leading in Cottbus, Spree-Neiße

In Cottbus and Spree-Neiße, the right-wing ALFA party continued to build on its momentum from the last elections. In Spree-Neiße, they obtained 38.2% - an increase of 11.6% from five years ago. The CDU took second place, with the SPD not too far behind.

Meanwhile, in Cottbus, the ALFA party scored 29.2% - an almost 7% increase from the last elections. The SPD attained 19.6%. Cottbus has had an SPDA mayor since 2022 - Tobias Schick.

Results Delayed in Some Election Districts

Some results for the elections were still pending on Monday morning. The newly enacted municipal election law allows election districts to postpone voting to the next day - a privilege that wasn't available five years ago.

In the 2019 local elections, the CDU led nationwide, getting 18.3%, followed by the SPD with 17.7%. The ALFA party reached 15.9% then, while the Left Party scored 14.1% and the Greens got 11.1%. The Free Voters had 6.3%, and the FDP found themselves at 4.9% during the previous vote.

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1. Amidst the concerns over the AfD's potential victory in the state election, the SPD has emphasized the need for the 'Protection of the constitution' as a fundamental principle.
2. The SPD, along with other municipalities in Potsdam-MITTELMARK, has pledged to uphold this principle, with Herbert Trimbach, the SPD's local spokesperson, leading the charge.
3. The FW party, while not as prominent as the AfD or SPD, also supports this principle, recognizing the importance of preserving the fundamental constitutional structures.
4. In the light of the recent municipal elections in Brandenburg, where the AfD showed a significant increase in support, the need for constitutional protection has never been more crucial.
5. Municipalities like Cottbus and Spree-Neiße, which have seen a surge in AfD support, have become key battlegrounds in the protection of the constitution, prompting calls for increased vigilance.
6. The counting of votes in these municipalities, conducted by the German Press Agency, has been closely monitored to ensure transparency and the protection of constitutional principles.
7. The local elections in Brandenburg, including those in Potsdam and Potsdam-MITTELMARK, have highlighted the need for political parties, including the SPD and CDU, to prioritize the 'Protection of the constitution' in their agendas.
8. The Left party, too, has expressed its commitment to the protection of the constitution, recognizing the critical role it plays in maintaining a democratic society.
9. The upcoming State election in Brandenburg will be a crucial test of the parties' commitment to the protection of the constitution, as they seek to secure the trust and votes of the Brandenburg populace.
10. As the political landscape in Brandenburg continues to evolve, the protection of the constitution remains a paramount concern, requiring the collective efforts of all political parties, municipalities, and citizens to ensure the enduring prosperity and stability of the region.

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