CDU remains strongest party in Lower Saxony local elections as AfD triples its vote
Quick Look
The CDU won 27.2% of the vote in Lower Saxony's local elections, remaining the strongest party despite a decline from 2021, while the AfD more than tripled its support to 15.9% amid high turnout of 64.6%, positioning the vote as a barometer for far-right strength in western Germany ahead of upcoming state elections.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The CDU remained the strongest force at district level in Lower Saxony following local elections, with preliminary results showing 27.2% support. The elections were seen as a gauge of AfD support after its landslide win in Saxony-Anhalt state elections the previous week.
The conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has remained the strongest force at district level in the northwestern state of Lower Saxony following local elections there, preliminary results released on Monday show.
The elections on Sunday received an unusual degree of attention, as they were seen as a gauge of support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) following its landslide win in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt last week.
The elections were to choose mayors, district administrations and local councils in the state.
What were the election results in Lower Saxony?
In what will doubtless be a relief for under-pressure Chancellor Friedrich Merz, his CDU came in first with 27.2% of the vote, slightly down on the 31.7% it reached in the last local elections in Lower Saxony in 2021.
The Social Democrats (SPD), who lead a coalition government at state level, were in second place with 24.6% support, a sharp drop from the 30% achieved in 2021.
The AfD followed with 15.9%, more than tripling its result in 2021.
The Greens, who are the junior coalition partners at state level, were on 14.1%, compared with 15.9% in 2021.
The Left party and the Free Democrats (FDP) brought up the tail with 6% and 3.7% respectively.
High turnout in Lower Saxony
Some 6.3 million people were eligible to take part in the elections, which saw a turnout of 64.6%, well up on the 57% participation at the 2021 polls.
Any run-off elections will take place across the state on September 27.
The poll in Lower Saxony was seen not only as a test of public sentiment ahead of state elections next year but also as a barometer of how the AfD is currently faring in western German states, where the far-right party has less support than in the east.
The elections in the state come just a week before the next state polls in the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the city-state of Berlin.
The vote in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will be under especially close scrutiny, with the AfD expected to make strong gains while the CDU is polling at just 7%.
Edited by: Natalie Muller
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Runoff elections will take place across Lower Saxony on September 27
Certain · Within weeks
The AfD is expected to make strong gains in the upcoming Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state election
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- How will the AfD's increased support in western Germany influence its strategy in upcoming state elections?
- What impact will the CDU's decline have on Chancellor Friedrich Merz's political standing?
- Will runoff elections on September 27 alter the current party standings in any districts?
