Polls opened in Brandenburg, Germany, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is expected to finish first, building on previous successes in other eastern states. The AfD has capitalized on concerns over the economy, immigration, and the Ukraine war, particularly in formerly Communist eastern Germany. The party is polling short of a majority and is unlikely to govern, but is benefiting from discontent with the current federal coalition. The AfD candidate is optimistic about the party’s prospects in Brandenburg, emphasizing the importance of the election but also noting that the state’s future won’t be decided solely by the outcome.
An AfD victory would be an embarrassment for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats, who have governed Brandenburg since reunification in 1990. The SPD has narrowed the gap with the AfD in recent weeks, with polls showing close results between the two parties. Brandenburg’s popular SPD premier has criticized the ruling coalition and highlighted economic successes in the state.
Scholz’s junior coalition partners, the Free Democrats and Greens, are struggling to enter the state parliament, while the AfD is leading in the polls. Much could change before the federal election in 2025, but the current coalition is polling less than the opposition conservatives. The election result will be important for the future of Brandenburg and could have implications for Scholz’s leadership of the SPD.
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