In a significant political development, the Brandenburg state election has concluded with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) projected to narrowly win over the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Early results indicate that the SPD garnered between 30.7% and 30.9% of the votes, while the AfD secured approximately 29.5% to 29.7%. This marks a notable gain for the AfD, which previously received 23.5% in the 2019 elections [b7395b8c]. Dietmar Woidke, the SPD candidate, is likely to secure another term as governor after 11 years in office, although he expressed alarm at the AfD's near 30% support [b7395b8c].
The election results also revealed that the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is projected to come in third with between 12.9% and 13.3% of the votes, while the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is expected to achieve between 11.8% and 12.1%, marking its worst result in former East Germany. The Greens fell below the 5% threshold, indicating a challenging landscape for traditional parties [b7395b8c]. Voter turnout was notably high, ranging from 73% to 74%, the highest since 1990, reflecting increased public engagement in the electoral process [b7395b8c].
This election follows recent regional elections in Bavaria and Hesse, where the ruling coalition faced significant challenges from the AfD and other parties. In Bavaria, the CSU aimed to maintain its longstanding dominance, while in Hesse, the SPD's Interior Minister Faeser was a key candidate for governor [51eb0b27]. The outcomes of these elections are pivotal for the future of Germany's political landscape, as they reflect growing discontent with the federal government and the increasing influence of far-right parties across the nation [1954cb55].