AfD gains ground in Berlin election but remains behind left and centre rivals

In the latest Berlin state parliament vote, the AfD secured fourth place, behind Linken and CDU and narrowly ahead of the Greens for third. The result marks an increase over the 2023 repeat election but remains below the 15-plus percent projected by recent surveys and the party's performance in the 2025 federal election in Berlin. The expected lift from the Saxony-Anhalt win failed to appear, and the AfD's vote share is weaker than in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where elections were held the same day.

The party's strongholds lie mainly east of the S-Ring, where it could capture direct seats. AfD leader Kristin Brinker, who projects a moderate public image, is linked to nationalist figures such as Alexander Bertram, Martin Kohler and former “Flügel” head Jeannette Auricht. A recent police raid on a staff member’s apartment uncovered extremist memorabilia and possible weapons violations, which Brinker downplayed. After the coalition is formed, the state security office plans to assess whether the Berlin AfD should be monitored as a right-wing extremist suspect.