The far-right party AfD triumphs in local elections in the eastern region.
In various regions of Germany such as Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Saxony-Anhalt, simultaneous local elections took place alongside the European elections. Thuringen also had multiple runoff elections. Here's a summary of the outcomes and forecasts.
Rhineland-Palatinate Requires Patience
Voting transpired in 52 cities and towns in Saarland. While the CDU clinched most victories, the SPD emerged as winners in 13 cases. There will be additional mayoral runoff elections.
In Baden-Württemberg, local ballots occurred, although the counting process may persist until Tuesday or Wednesday. According to an SWR prediction, the CDU slightly edges out the Greens by 28.5% in the Stuttgart city council elections, contrasted with the Greens' 28%. The SPD ranks third with 19%. In Mannheim, Sender anticipates a close CDU victory (21.5%) over the Greens (20.5%) and the SPD (19%). In Karlsruhe, the Greens are poised to hold 25%, exceeding the CDU's 20.5% and the SPD's 12%. Volt is projected to receive 6%.
In Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, the SWR estimates 26% each for the CDU and Greens, as well as 23% for the SPD. The anticipation of results is scheduled for Monday evening. The state election commissioner is slated to access the results from the 24 county council elections and 12 city-state elections in Rhineland-Palatinate no earlier than Wednesday. Hamburg's district elections are set to be tallied on Monday.
The East Adopts Blue and Black
In Brandenburg, the AfD secured the local elections. With almost all ballots accounted for, the AfD garnered approximately 26% of the votes, witnessing a 10% increase compared to 2019. The Brandenburg Constitutional Protection Agency labels the AfD state association as a suspected right-wing extremist organization. In Potsdam-Mittelmark, the CDU emerged successful. In the state capital of Potsdam, the CDU improved to 19%, while the Social Democrats retreated to 16.6%. The Left settled for 7.8%, BVB/Free Voters at 7.3%, and the Greens at 6.6%.
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the AfD garnered significant wins. In the Rostock city council, the AfD just surpassed the CDU with 17.5%, and the Left with 14.7%, and the SPD with 14.1%. In Schwerin, the AfD swept with a 27.5% lead over the CDU (19.3%) and the SPD (16.6%). The AfD also triumphed in three county council elections. The CDU obtained an equal number of county council victories as the AfD but with more significance for the AfD.
In Saxony, the AfD dominated almost all counties and cities following the count of 353 from 457 municipalities. Results from Leipzig, Dresden, and Chemnitz have yet to be unveiled. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD and CDU shared the triumphs in counties and towns, albeit with clear advantages for the AfD. However, in the Thuringian land and mayoral elections, an AfD candidate remained unsuccessful. In twelve counties and three cities, competition ensued between two contenders. Within six counties, a CDU candidate confronted an AfD candidate.
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The far-right party AfD also made gains in Baden-Württemberg, where they saw an increase in support during local elections, earning around 19% of the votes. In Thuringia, despite the close race, no AfD candidate was successful in the land andmayoral elections. The eastern state of Saarland held elections in 52 cities and towns, with the SPD emerging as winners in 13 cases, but the CDU still dominating the majority of victories. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the AfD significantly boosted their political presence, surpassing the CDU in the Rostock city council elections.
