Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: SPD seeks to fend off AfD
For nearly three decades, the Social Democrats have governed Germany's northeastern state. If they can fend off the AfD, the result may boost the fortunes of the German government's junior coalition partner.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a state along Germany's Baltic coast, is home to popular tourist destinations like Rügen and Usedom, as well as historic universities like Greifswald and Rostock. The state, which has a population of 1.57 million, has struggled with high unemployment and a low percentage of foreign residents. It has also seen its fair share of violent attacks on asylum-seeker accommodations following German reunification, most notably in 1992 when a residential building in Rostock was set on fire by far-right rioters.
The state has been governed by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) since reunification, most recently by popular state premier Manuela Schwesig. Schwesig has been campaigning against the Alternative for Germany (AfD), describing it as "the most dangerous party for our country, for the economy, for social welfare, and also for us women."
The AfD is currently polling neck and neck with the SPD, making it unlikely that the AfD's lead candidate, Leif-Erik Holm, will become state premier.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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