NewsRescue
The ruling Social Democrats (SPD) lost elections in Hesse and Bavaria on Sunday, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz continues to face dismal support ratings.
According to ARD, former chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is expected to win 34.6% of the vote in Hesse, the country’s financial centre. The Social Democrats are at 15.1%, about four points lower than in 2018.
The Christian Social Union (CSU), the CDU’s sister party that has governed Bavaria since the 1950s, is likely to receive 36.6% of the vote (37.2% in 2018), while the Social Democrats are expected to receive only 8.1% (9.7% in 2018). Bavaria, Germany’s second-largest state by population, has a large economy and is prosperous.
Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of the SPD, admitted that the results were “two defeats” for his party. “There were many crises in recent years that have contributed to the situation being the way it is,” he said.
Meanwhile, the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) finished in second in Hesse and Bavaria, with 18.5% and 15.7% of the vote, respectively. This was a more than five-point improvement over the last election results in both states. The party is well-known for campaigning for stricter immigration controls. It has also criticised Germany’s NATO relations as well as Berlin’s decision to send arms to Ukraine.
Scholz’ cabinet has come under fire for high inflation and rising energy prices, as well as initiatives aimed at transitioning to a green economy.