State results signal trouble for Germany’s centrists

Significance The party also performed strongly in the election held in Saxony on the same day, finishing a close second. The federal government parties -- the Social Democrats (SPD), Free Democrats (FDP) and Greens -- collectively won around 10% in both elections. Impacts Defeat for the SPD in Brandenburg could heighten opposition against Olaf Scholz’s bid to be the party’s chancellor candidate next year. Should the FDP leave the government, the SPD and Greens may be able to continue as a minority government. The strong performance of the AfD and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance reflects growing voter opposition to German support for Ukraine.