Germany: Far right lead in upcoming state election polls
Polling suggests the far-right AfD is carrying its momentum into another upcoming state election. Meanwhile, former Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged people not to take democracy for granted. DW has more.
In the latest poll, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is leading in the upcoming state election of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. The poll, conducted by ZDF, shows the AfD at 37% support, three points ahead of the current governing center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) which stands at 34%. This is a significant shift from the recent state election in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD secured victory.
The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, performed poorly in the poll with just 7% support, which would be its worst result in a state election since the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany. The socialist Left Party came in third with 10% support, while the environmentalist Greens polled at 5% and the left-wing populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) at 4%.
To qualify for the state parliament, a party typically needs to secure at least 5% of the vote. With the current figures, the SPD would need to form a coalition with another party to continue its rule as it currently stands with the Left Party.
Despite the AfD's lead, the party's candidate, Leif-Erik Holm, is not favored over current state Premier Manuela Schwesig, who holds a significant lead in personal polling, with 61% of respondents preferring her as state premier over 28% backing Holm. However, to retain her position, Schwesig might need to form a coalition with a third party due to the AfD's strong showing in the polls.
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