In a significant political development, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party could achieve its first election victory in Brandenburg, a state long regarded as a stronghold of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD). This tightly contested regional election, taking place on Sunday, could signal a major shift in the political landscape, with approximately two million voters heading to the polls.
Brandenburg has been governed by the SPD, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, since the reunification of Germany. However, recent polling indicates that the AfD may secure a substantial share of the vote, which would not only be a historic win for the party but also a considerable embarrassment for Scholz, who resides in the state’s capital, Potsdam.
The AfD’s recent electoral successes have raised eyebrows across Germany. The party became the first far-right group to win a state election since World War II in Thuringia on September 1 and narrowly placed second in Saxony on the same day. A victory in Brandenburg, while not guaranteed, would exacerbate doubts about Scholz’s leadership as he prepares for next year’s federal elections, where he hopes to secure a second term despite declining approval ratings.
Polls close in Brandenburg at 18:00 local time (1600 GMT), with exit polls and preliminary results expected to follow shortly after. While the AfD is not projected to win a majority in Brandenburg, a significant vote share would represent a symbolic victory amid rising public concerns over economic issues, immigration, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine—factors that resonate particularly in the former Communist regions of eastern Germany.
Brandenburg has been a bastion for the SPD since reunification in 1990, and the party’s popular premier, Dietmar Woidke, has largely distanced himself from Scholz’s campaign, expressing criticism of the federal government’s policies. In a bid to prevent the AfD from gaining power, Scholz has called on other parties to maintain a “firewall” against what he describes as “right-wing extremist” influences.
Hans-Christoph Berndt, the AfD candidate for Brandenburg state premier, emphasized growing support for the party, especially among younger voters, as he cast his ballot in Golssen, south of Berlin. Current polling suggests a competitive race, with the AfD narrowly leading the SPD and over a quarter of voters still undecided.
As the results unfold, all eyes will be on Brandenburg to see if the far-right party can make a significant mark in this historically left-leaning region.
