Mainz, Germany – The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has won the Rhineland-Palatinate state election with 30.6% of the vote, emerging as the strongest party in the 101-seat Landtag and positioning itself to form the next government. The centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), long the dominant force in the western German state, suffered a historic collapse, falling to just 26.9% — their lowest result in the state’s post-war history.
In a dramatic breakthrough for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the party more than doubled its 2021 support to reach a record 20%, becoming the third-strongest force in parliament. The AfD’s surge was particularly pronounced among younger voters, topping opinion polls among 18- to 24-year-olds. Analysts point to widespread frustration over the economy, rising inflation, high energy costs, and migration policy as key drivers behind the party’s gains.
CDU state leader Gordon Schneider immediately announced coalition talks with the SPD, aiming to revive the traditional “grand coalition” that has governed the state for much of the past two decades. Both mainstream parties have pledged to maintain the so-called “firewall” — a cross-party agreement that excludes the AfD from any governing role despite its strong showing.
“Voters have sent a clear signal for stability and responsible governance,” Schneider said in initial reactions. “We will now enter serious negotiations with the SPD to form a government that tackles the real challenges facing our state.”
The outcome marks a significant shift in Rhineland-Palatinate politics. While the CDU celebrates returning to the top spot, the combined strength of the two mainstream parties has shrunk, and the AfD’s entry into double-digit territory has intensified debate about how to address voter discontent without legitimising the far-right.
Official final results are expected later today, with the new Landtag scheduled to convene in the coming weeks.
