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Germany: CDU Wins, AfD Gains in State Election

Are the Rhineland-Palatinate results a mandate for the CDU, a sign that the AfD is the only option for change or a wake-up call for the SPD?

Published MAR 23

Germany: CDU Wins, AfD Gains in State Election

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Above: CDU officials, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in Berlin on March 23. Image credit: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Right Pro-Establishment Narrative

For the first time in over 35 years, the CDU has reclaimed its place as the strongest force in Rhineland-Palatinate — a mandate worth celebrating. Gordon Schnieder and the CDU did not earn this trust idly; rather, the voters rewarded a platform that has governed Germany with impressive results in education, economic growth, security and healthcare.

Christian Democratic Union of Germany on X

Friedrich Merz on X

Right Establishment-Critical Narrative

Sunday's results prove that the AfD is the real alternative that Germany needs. Voters have had enough with bad economic policy and political cronyism, and the surge in support, with the AfD more than doubling its vote share, shows that message is breaking through. The AfD's messages on freedom, security and prosperity aren't just slogans; they're winning issues.

Jan Bollinger on Facebook

Alice Weidel on X

Left narrative

Following Sunday's disaster, it is time for the SPD to do some real soul-searching. There must be real consequences for the party's leaders after they allowed the SPD's vote share to collapse in what was one of its firmest strongholds. If the party is to recover its fortunes and progress a socialist vision for Germany, there must be a change in leadership.

DER SPIEGEL Tagesspiegel

Metaculus Prediction

Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

Election in Rhineland-Palatinate: AfD achieves record result in western Germany