2024 German state elections

2024 German state elections. The 2024 German state elections were a series of three pivotal legislative elections held in the eastern states of Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg during the autumn. Conducted under the shadow of significant national political turbulence, these contests were widely seen as a crucial test for the governing federal coalition led by Olaf Scholz and a major gauge of strength for the resurgent far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The outcomes had profound implications for government formation in the states and sent shockwaves through the political landscape of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Overview

The elections took place in a period of intense political polarization and public dissatisfaction with the federal government in Berlin. Key national issues, including the ongoing energy crisis linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, persistent economic inflation, and contentious migration policies, dominated the campaigns. The rise of the Alternative for Germany, particularly in the former East Germany, positioned these state elections as a critical battleground. All three states were previously governed by complex coalitions, often involving the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and The Greens.

Electoral system

Each state election employs a system of personalized proportional representation, similar to the federal model used for the Bundestag. Voters cast two ballots: one for a direct candidate in their constituency and a second for a state party list. To gain proportional representation in the Landtag of Saxony, Landtag of Thuringia, or Landtag of Brandenburg, a party must either win at least three direct mandates or surpass a five percent vote threshold on the second vote. The system often results in multi-party parliaments, necessitating coalition negotiations, as seen historically following elections in Baden-Württemberg or Schleswig-Holstein.

State elections

The 2024 Saxony state election was held on 1 September, followed by the simultaneous 2024 Thuringia state election and 2024 Brandenburg state election on 27 October. In Saxony, the incumbent Minister-President Michael Kretschmer of the CDU sought to defend his leadership against a strong challenge from the Alternative for Germany's top candidate, Jörg Urban. In Thuringia, the election was highly volatile due to the presence of the left-wing The Left, led by Minister-President Bodo Ramelow, and the extremist AfD faction led by Björn Höcke. The Brandenburg campaign featured a tight race between the SPD's incumbent Dietmar Woidke and the AfD's Hans-Christoph Berndt.

Results

The results confirmed a dramatic political shift in eastern Germany. The Alternative for Germany emerged as the strongest party in all three states, achieving historic vote shares above 30% in Thuringia and Saxony. The CDU placed second in Saxony and Thuringia, while the SPD narrowly retained its lead in Brandenburg. The federal governing parties, the SPD, The Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), suffered significant losses. Voter turnout was notably high, exceeding levels seen in the 2019 European elections in these regions.

Aftermath and government formation

The aftermath presented unprecedented challenges for forming stable state governments. All democratic parties, including the CDU, SPD, The Greens, and The Left, reiterated their refusal to cooperate with the Alternative for Germany, citing its extremist positions. In Saxony, protracted negotiations led to a continuation of the existing "Germany coalition" between the CDU, SPD, and The Greens, under Michael Kretschmer. In Thuringia and Brandenburg, the process was more difficult, leading to discussions of novel minority governments tolerated by other parties, a scenario with few precedents since the politics of the Weimar Republic. The outcomes intensified debates within the CDU and SPD about national strategy ahead of the next federal election.

Category:2024 elections in Germany Category:State elections in Germany Category:2024 in German politics