Olaf Scholz’s centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have emerged victorious in a local election in Brandenburg, beating the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) by a narrow margin. Initial projections show the SPD winning 31 percent of the vote, with the AfD trailing slightly behind at 29 percent. This win offers a moment of respite for Scholz’s coalition government, which has faced challenges in public opinion polls ahead of national elections next year.
Despite the victory, the result is unlikely to provide a major boost for Scholz or his party, as popular incumbent Hubert Dietmar Woidke distanced himself from the federal government’s policies during the campaign. This election was closely watched as the SPD has held power in Brandenburg since reunification in 1990, and Scholz’s own electoral district is located in the state capital of Potsdam.
The AfD, known for its anti-immigrant and anti-Islam stance, had hoped to replicate its recent success in the east after winning a parliamentary vote in Thuringia and coming second in Saxony. However, it is unlikely to take power in any state due to the refusal of mainstream parties to form a coalition with them.
Woidke, who has been in office for over a decade, challenged voters by stating he would resign if the AfD won. While the AfD celebrated its strong showing, the SPD’s governing allies, the Greens and the Free Democrats, scored in the low single digits in the election. This result puts pressure on Scholz and his coalition partners as they prepare for national elections in the coming year.
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