Germany’s ruling Social Democrats, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, emerged victorious in the Brandenburg state elections, narrowly defeating the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The SPD secured 30.9% of the vote, an increase from their previous 26.2% five years ago. The AfD came in second with 29.2% of the vote, marking their best-ever result in the eastern state.
The coalition partners of the SPD, the Greens and the Free Democrats, failed to reach the 5% threshold needed to secure seats in the state parliament. Meanwhile, the newly formed left-wing populist party, Bundnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), claimed third place with 13.5% of the vote, positioning themselves as potential kingmakers in coalition scenarios.
Tino Chrupalla, co-chairman of the AfD, celebrated his party’s performance, declaring them the main opposition in Brandenburg. He criticized the exclusion of the AfD from coalition talks by other major parties due to their anti-democratic behavior and links to extremist groups.
The higher voter turnout of 72.9% in these elections, compared to 61.3% in 2019, indicates a strong civic engagement among voters. Issues such as economic welfare, military support to Ukraine, and migration policies were significant factors influencing voters’ decisions.
Many voters expressed support for Dietmar Woidke, the Social Democrat premier who has led Brandenburg for over a decade. Woidke’s positive performance rating of 65% among the electorate played a crucial role in securing votes for the SPD.
Overall, the outcome of the Brandenburg state elections reflects a growing concern among voters regarding the rise of far-right parties and a desire to prevent them from gaining power. The results also highlight the shifting political landscape in Germany and the challenges faced by mainstream parties in navigating complex coalition scenarios.