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Conservatives Unseat Social Democrats in Rhineland-Palatinate After 35 Years as AfD Surges to Record 20%
The Christian Democratic Union led by Friedrich Merz won 30.8% of the vote, ending SPD’s 35-year rule amid rising far-right support nearing 20%, broadcaster ARD reported.
- On March 22, the ARD forecast showed the Christian Democrats at 30.50% and the Social Democrats at 27%, pointing to a likely victory for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU in Rhineland-Palatinate.
- Earlier this month, early projections showed the CDU at 30.80% and the SPD at 26% after a narrow March 8 loss in Baden‑Wuerttemberg, with Merz focusing on Ukraine support and energy shock risks.
- Polls showed the AfD taking about 20% of votes, more than doubling its support since the last election, while the SPD managed only 5.50% in Baden‑Wuerttemberg.
- Parties are expected to negotiate a Berlin‑style coalition, with CDU candidate Gordon Schnieder poised to replace sitting SPD premier Alexander Schweitzer, and losing control would deepen the SPD's crisis and pressure Merz's national coalition.
- This was the second of five state elections this year, and CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann said the result showed strong backing for CDU/CSU and SPD, which could exceed 50%.
144 Articles
144 Articles
AfD Cracks Western Germany, Doubles Support in Rhineland-Palatinate Election
Right-wing, anti-immigration Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) doubled its support in the western German state election in Rhineland-Palatinate. The governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU) came first, securing 31 per cent of the vote, followed by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) with 25.9 per cent. AfD came third with 19.5 per cent, more than doubling its previous support in the region, which has historically been a socialist stronghold. The…
Merz cheers victory in Rhineland-Palatinate as Social Democrats mourn 'catastrophic' result
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives on Monday revelled in a regional election win even as their national coalition partners had to digest another disappointing performance.
The state of Rhineland-Palatinate held elections on Sunday, and the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), which has led the region for nearly 35 years, came in second place. The conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) won the elections, but the right-wing populist AfD also managed to increase its support.
In the Land of Rhineland-Palatinate, the Social Democrats lost nearly 10 points and were no longer the first party. After a heavy defeat at the federal level in 2025, and the disastrous regional elections, the party was threatened with disappearance.
Alternative for Germany is still on the rise and the SPD sharpens its crisis after the rodapalo in Rhineland-Palatinate.
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