Following the local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany’s most populous state, reactions in Berlin have been measured. The CDU maintained its lead, while the Greens and SPD suffered losses. The AfD celebrated a significant rise in support, reports DW.
The CDU emerged as the clear winner in NRW. The elections were viewed as the first political test for the conservative-social democratic coalition government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) following the early federal elections in February. CDU parliamentary leader Jens Spahn expressed satisfaction with the outcome:
“The strong result in NRW is a reward for the good work done at the local level. It also gives a boost to the coalition in Berlin.”
However, the increase in AfD support, even in western Germany, has raised concerns among other parties. NRW’s Minister-President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) warned:
“This result should make us reflect and cannot leave us sleeping peacefully—even my own party, which won these elections clearly, must take note.”
SPD: “We Must Ask Ourselves How to Move Forward”
Both the Greens and SPD expressed deep disappointment following the results. SPD leader Bärbel Bas told WDR radio:
“It is true that we were unable to stop the downward trend. The results certainly do not make me happy.”
She noted that while the results were not as catastrophic as previously feared, the party must reflect on how to reverse the situation. Bas emphasized that the strong performance of the AfD should concern all democratic parties, adding that the SPD’s task is to return to policies focused on workers. Co-chair Lars Klingbeil told DPA that economic issues remain the most urgent concern for voters:
“We will not give up when it comes to economic growth and securing jobs.”
Greens Struggle with Ecological Policies
The Greens suffered the steepest losses. Co-chair Felix Banaszak acknowledged the party’s poor performance but expressed hope for gains in upcoming mayoral elections:
“Ecological and progressive policies are currently facing a challenging period,” Banaszak told WDR, highlighting a fundamental political shift affecting voter sentiment.
AfD and The Left Celebrate Gains
For the AfD, the results were a cause for celebration. Co-chair Tino Chrupalla called the performance a major success:
“Preliminary projections indicate that the AfD has tripled its share of the vote in NRW local elections. We are a popular party, and we all bear great responsibility for Germany.”
According to projections, the AfD placed third behind CDU and SPD, securing more than 15% of the vote.
The Left (Die Linke) also expressed enthusiasm. Party leader Jan van Aken described the outcome as an “excellent result”:
“We not only achieved our goals, we exceeded them. Die Linke listened to the people and addressed their concerns during the campaign. Now we are entering district councils at all levels—a victory of hope over everyday disempowerment and the beginning of much more.”
