The Christian Democratic Union wins in NRW and the AfD triples its strength in a shocking turnaround
Early estimates from the local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany's largest state by population, indicate a clear victory for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The party is expected to receive around 34% of the votes, confirming its dominance in the region.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) came in second place with 22.5%, while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) jumped to 16.5%, a historic leap that exceeded three times its result in the 2020 elections when it only received 5.1%. The voter turnout was 58.5%, much higher than the 51.9% recorded five years ago.
These municipal elections are the first since Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office in May, adding political weight to their results. While the Christian Democratic Union remains the dominant force in North Rhine-Westphalia, the rapid growth of the AfD party confirms a shift to the right in parts of western Germany. Traditionally, the party relied on its base in the eastern states, but it is now making significant inroads in the west.
The Prime Minister of the state, Hendrik Wüst from the Christian Democratic Union of North Rhine-Westphalia, described it as "a driving force for the party," emphasizing that voters preferred "a pragmatic policy focused on solutions from the center." He added that the results show that the state represents "an engine" for the party's successes at the national level in Germany.
However, the performance of the AfD party indicates a rise in political polarization. Analysts believe that these gains could reshape the local landscape and influence the national debate, while traditional parties strive to counter the momentum of the far right and solidify their electoral bases.