AfD surges in recent German regional elections, dealing blow to governing parties
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) topped the vote in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and made strong gains in Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony, while the CDU fell below the 5% threshold.
Successive regional elections in Germany revealed a sharp rise for the right-wing AfD, which secured the plurality in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with an estimated 36-37% of the vote, surpassing the SPD’s 35-36% share. The party also more than doubled its result in Saxony-Anhalt, reaching 43.8%, and tripled its score in Lower Saxony to 15.9% compared with the previous cycle. Conversely, the governing CDU slumped to roughly 4.9%, missing the 5% parliamentary threshold for the first time in the state.
Voter participation increased in both regions, and for the first time youths aged 16 and 17 were eligible to cast ballots, though they remain ineligible to run for office. The outcomes reflect growing dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government and signal a deepening crisis for the ruling coalition.
Why it matters
The results show a major shift in German voter sentiment, threatening the governing coalition’s stability.
How this story developed
- Sep 21 Elif Eralp emerges as Die Linke's high-profile mayoral candidate in Berlin
- Sep 21 The Greens announced they will seek a red‑green‑red coalition with the Left and SPD.
- Sep 23 SPD and Greens require Die Linke to demonstrate anti‑antisemitism safeguards before coalition talks can proceed.
- Sep 24 The Israeli ambassador warned of an “immediate existential threat” to Berlin’s Jewish community over alleged antisemitism in the party.
- Sep 27 SPD and Greens issued a joint warning demanding Die Linke reject antisemitism and clan crime before coalition talks proceed.
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