Deutsche Welle31 minutes agoPolitics2 min read

CDU projected to win Lower Saxony municipal elections amid AfD gains and national concerns

Quick Look

The CDU is projected to win municipal elections in Lower Saxony with 27.7% of the vote, ahead of SPD and AfD, as the party seeks to counter far-right gains in neighboring Saxony-Anhalt; voter turnout increased significantly compared to 2021, while politicians warn of stagnation fueling AfD support and call for urgent action on energy prices and antisemitism.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The CDU is seeking to counter gains by the far-right AfD party, which recently won a landslide victory in state elections in neighboring Saxony-Anhalt, prompting national concern about the party's rising popularity.

Font size

The CDU is on course to win in municipal polls in the northwestern state of Lower Saxony that were seen as a gauge of support for the far-right AfD party. DW has more.

https://p.dw.com/p/5MPdD

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is projected to win local elections in the state of Lower Saxony

The SPD is set to come second, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is expected to follow in third

The municipal vote has been in the national spotlight after a landslide win for the AfD in state elections in neighboring Saxony-Anhalt

A new poll has shown that the far-right party is continuing to gain in popularity nationwide

Shipping problems caused by low water levels in the Rhine could take a big economic toll this year, according to experts

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that truth and lies are increasingly being blurred, including by people in power

Merkel acknowledged that some decisions during her time as chancellor helped fuel support for the AfD

Here is a roundup of top stories from and about Germany on the weekend of Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13:

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The CDU will face significant challenges in the upcoming Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state elections, where support has recently plummeted to 7% in polls.
Likely · Within days
Protests against the AfD and far-right ideologies will continue in cities such as Dresden, Kiel, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich.
Very likely · Within days
Low water levels on the Rhine will continue to cause economic damage to Germany's transport and industrial sectors.
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

Will the CDU's projected win in Lower Saxony translate to broader electoral success in upcoming regional votes?
What specific measures will be taken to address stagnation and high energy prices as urged by CSU leader Markus Söder?
How will the increase in voter turnout affect future election outcomes in Lower Saxony and beyond?
What actions will Berlin authorities take in response to the apparent antisemitic attack?