AfD scores record win in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern while falling short in Berlin
The AfD achieved its best-ever result in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, overtaking the SPD, but its performance in Berlin lagged behind party expectations.
The AfD marked a milestone in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, securing a record share of the vote that propelled it to the top of the party list, ahead of the SPD, and prompting jubilant celebrations for leaders Tino Chrupalla and Leif-Erik Holm. The party’s gains represented a swing of over twenty percentage points compared with the previous election. In Berlin, however, the AfD fell short of its own targets, drawing a more subdued reaction and prompting criticism from figures such as Alice Weidel.
The contrasting outcomes underscored regional differences, with the eastern state responding to nationalist slogans and identity-focused campaigning, while Berlin’s socially-oriented campaign yielded weaker support. Both Chrupalla and Weidel used the results to demand Chancellor Merz step down, signaling a continued strategy to erode the CDU’s dominance.
Why it matters
The results highlight the AfD’s growing strength in eastern Germany and its challenges in urban centers, shaping future national politics.
How this story developed
- Aug 23 Merz warns AfD win in Saxony-Anhalt could scare off foreign investors
- Sep 9 Former US president Donald Trump praised the Alternative for Germany (AfD) after its impressive result in Saxony-Anhalt, blaming the country's immigration policies.
- Sep 9 Trump posted a congratulatory message to the AfD on Truth Social after the Saxony‑Anhalt results.
- Sep 9 Merz and AfD leader Alice Weidel clashed in a Bundestag budget debate following the Saxony‑Anhalt result.
- Sep 10 Claudia Obert resigned from the CDU and Tino Schomann publicly demanded Merz’s resignation.
- Sep 11 Only the BSW agreed to talks as all other parties declined, and Chancellor Merz rebuked Donald Trump’s congratulatory post.
- Sep 12 Protesters took to streets in dozens of German cities to denounce the AfD and its candidate following its recent electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt.
- Sep 12 Markus Söder publicly rejected calls to replace Chancellor Merz.
- Sep 13 Sven Schulze replaced Guido Heuer as CDU minister after a close internal vote.
- Sep 13 Protests included a Hamburg rally featuring EKD council chair Kirsten Fehrs, DGB chief Tanja Chawla, deputy Schura chair Özlem Nas and singer Axel Bosse, and displayed slogans such as “No step back! Against the AfD and right‑wing hate!”.
- Sep 13 Sloterdijk’s interview at the Hay Festival added new commentary on the AfD’s trajectory.
- Sep 18 Eight state premiers issued a joint communiqué reaffirming support for Chancellor Merz.
- Sep 20 Recent polls show the SPD narrowing the gap with the AfD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while the CDU lingers just above the entry threshold and smaller parties risk missing seats. In Berlin, the SPD has slipped behind but remains a contender, and no party appears set for an outright majority, making a three-party coalition likely. Possible alliances include red-green-red or black-green-red blocs, with a potential surprise from the Greens, and incumbent mayor Kai Wegner is not running again.
- Sep 20 Polls now show Die Linke slightly ahead of the CDU in Berlin and the AfD closing on the SPD in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern.
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