two elections in Germany; Two leading parties and a "historic defeat"

two elections in Germany; Two leading parties and a "historic defeat"

The simultaneous elections on Sunday, September 20, 2026 (September 29) in the state of Berlin and in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had two different results but a common message for the ruling parties in the German federal government: the left-wing party in the capital came in first place for the first time, and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the state of Rubenpommern in North-Wonpommern. votes.

In contrast, German Chancellor Friedrich March's Christian Democratic Party faced a sharp drop in votes in both elections and failed to even enter parliament in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The Social Democrats, the partner of the Christian Democrats in the federal government, also saw a decrease in votes in both countries; However, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern there is still the possibility that Manuela Schussig will continue as prime minister.

According to preliminary results, the left-wing party led by Alif Erlap won 25.7 percent of Berlin's votes, more than double the party's 12.2 percent share in the 2023 election. This is the highest result of the left party in the history of the elections in Berlin and the first time that this party is in first place in the elections for the state parliament of the capital. The Christian Democratic Party came in second place with 18.8%; A party that won 28.2 percent of the votes three years ago.

Erlap, a 45-year-old Turkish politician, has made the issue of housing the centerpiece of his campaign. He even wears a gold chain with the words "ceiling for rent" around his neck to emphasize the central theme of his election manifesto. After the elections, Erlap announced in a conversation with the first channel of German television (ARD) that he intends to promote the issue of advertising private housing companies, although, according to him, the implementation of such a program will take time. He also announced his willingness to talk with the Greens and the Social Democrats about forming a government.

On the same day that the Left party celebrated its victory in Berlin, the Alternative for Germany party came in first place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with 38.2 percent of the vote. With Leif-Erik Hulme, its candidate for prime minister, and Enrico Schulte, its main candidate in the election, the party more than doubled its vote share compared to 2021, which stood at 16.7 percent. However, her margin against the Social Democrats was less than three percentage points.