Election in Rhineland-Palatinate: AfD achieves record result in western Germany
Election in Rhineland-Palatinate: AfD Secures Record-Breaking Victory
With the results of the Rhineland-Palatinate state election in, the far-right AfD has emerged as a dominant force, surpassing previous performance in western Germany. This marks a significant shift in the political landscape, as the party claimed its highest share of votes in a regional contest. Preliminary data from ARD and ZDF indicate the CDU securing 30.6% of the vote, with the SPD trailing behind at 25.7%.
A New Political Landscape
Despite the SPD’s long-standing governance under state premier Alexander Schweitzer, the party faces mounting pressure after a recent setback in Baden-Württemberg. The AfD’s surge of over eleven percentage points has positioned it as a formidable opposition group. Party leader Alice Weidel expressed confidence in her team’s performance, stating,
“We are set to deliver excellent opposition work.”
Meanwhile, the Greens have slipped to fourth place, capturing 7.9% of the vote. The Free Democrats, part of the coalition government, are expected to fall short of parliamentary representation with approximately two percent. The Left Party also narrowly missed entry into the state assembly, securing just over four percent.
Postal ballots played a role in the outcome, though their influence appears diminished based on current projections. Only four parties are anticipated to hold seats in the state parliament. Gordon Schnieder, the CDU’s likely next state premier, is the brother of Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder. A coalition with the SPD is currently viewed as the most probable path forward.
For Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s federal CDU, this election result is a notable win following a closely contested campaign in Rhineland-Palatinate. Federal CDU parliamentary leader Jens Spahn called the victory “historic,” suggesting it could provide momentum for national politics. Within the SPD, however, the outcome has sparked internal debate, with party leader Lars Klingbeil announcing personnel discussions and the general secretary describing it as a “bitter setback.”
