SPD Narrowly Leads AfD in Brandenburg State Election

In the recent Brandenburg state election, the SPD, led by Minister-President Dietmar Woidke, managed to stay just ahead of the AfD. According to preliminary results, the SPD secured 31.2% of the vote, while the AfD trailed closely with 29.8%.

This narrow victory has significant implications, particularly given Woidke's earlier declaration that he would resign if the AfD emerged victorious. The high-stakes election saw an impressive voter turnout of 74%, the fourth-highest ever recorded in an East German state election.

Key issues during the campaign included immigration, the Ukraine conflict, and concerns about right-wing extremism, with the AfD being monitored as a right-wing extremist suspect by the state’s constitutional protection agency. The election also highlighted the performance of smaller parties.

The Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) debuted strongly, securing 12.1% of the vote, making them potential kingmakers in coalition negotiations. The CDU followed closely with 11.8%, marking its weakest performance in East Germany.

The Greens, the Left, and the Free Voters are on the edge of the 5% threshold, relying on the basic mandate clause to gain entry into the Landtag. The Greens are particularly hopeful due to potential direct mandates in Potsdam.

The election results underscore a complex political landscape, with coalition possibilities remaining uncertain. Woidke’s SPD, which has governed Brandenburg since reunification, now faces the challenge of forming a stable government amidst these fragmented results.