Germany's political landscape is being put to the test as the states of Bavaria and Hesse hold regional elections on Sunday [51eb0b27]. These elections are seen as a crucial moment to gauge the support for the ruling coalition and determine whether the conservative opposition or the far-right will gain votes. Dissatisfaction with the federal government has the potential to deal a blow to the ruling coalition in Hesse, while Bavaria faces challenges such as migration, rising energy costs, and an ailing economy. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is projected to achieve a record share of the vote, surpassing its previous success in 2018. The Christian Social Union (CSU), which has dominated Bavaria since 1949, aims to maintain its governing coalition. However, the CDU, Germany's traditional conservatives, has faced criticism for its more liberal policies. Despite being embroiled in an antisemitism scandal, the Free Voters (FW) party has gained support. The environmental Greens are also competing in Bavaria, but a coalition with the CSU is unlikely. The elections in Hesse are particularly interesting as Interior Minister Faeser is running for governor on behalf of the SPD [51eb0b27]. The outcome of these elections will have significant implications for the future direction of Germany's political landscape [1954cb55].
Luxembourg's legislative election results indicate that the centre-right Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) is likely to gain influence, potentially ending Xavier Bettel’s 10-year tenure as prime minister. The liberal-led coalition lost its majority, with the Greens losing four seats and the far-right party ADR making significant gains. The CSV, led by former finance minister Luc Frieden, needs to find a coalition partner to reach a majority in the 60-seat chamber. Bettel's Democratic Party or the LSAP are potential partners. Bettel has expressed readiness to work in the new government. [2a50abfa]
Luxembourg's three-party coalition government led by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel lost its majority in the recent elections. The Christian Social People's Party (CSV) emerged as the top party with 29% of the vote, while the coalition's support declined. The Liberals saw a rise in their vote share to 18.7%, but the Greens' support fell by almost seven points to 8.5%. The coalition now holds only 29 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, less than half of the total seats. The CSV, with 21 seats, is in a strong position to form a ruling alliance. The head of state will consult all parties to determine the most likely coalition to appoint a new Prime Minister. Luxembourg, with its strong economy and financial center, enjoys a privileged position within the EU. [6b610771]