Critical elections in Germany… Scholz’s party lost blood

Voting in Bavaria and Hesse ended at 18:00 local time. According to the first exit poll published by the first German television channel ARD, the CDU came first in Hesse with 35.5 percent, increasing its vote by 8.5 points compared to the 2018 elections.

In the state of Bavaria, the CSU became the first party with 37 percent of the vote. The CSU votes decreased by 0.2 points compared to the previous elections. The CSU thus achieved its worst result in the last 70 years. The CSU had many times been the only government in the state.

The biggest advance in Bavaria was made by the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). AfD, which increased its votes by 4.8 points compared to the previous elections, became the third most voted party with 15 percent.

SCHOLZ’S PARTY LOST BLOOD

The Social Democratic Party (SPD), to which German Chancellor Olaf Scholz belongs, suffered a defeat in the elections held five years ago, losing 3.8 points in Hesse and 1.2 points in Bavaria.

In the state of Hesse, the SPD candidate for prime minister was Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.

German media reports discussed whether Faeser would leave his position as Interior Minister after these results.

Compared to the previous election, the Green Party’s votes decreased by 4.3 points in Bavaria and 1.6 points in Hesse.

While in Bavaria the Free Democratic Party (FDP) remains out of parliament with 3 percent of the vote, after all the votes are counted it will be clear whether it will surpass the electoral threshold of 5 percent in Hesse.

The participation rate in the elections was 72.5 percent in Bavaria and 64.5 percent in Hessen.

Following these results, the current Bavarian government, the CSU and the Free Electors Party (FW), are expected to continue with their functions.

In the state of Hesse, the CDU is expected to continue its government partnership with the Greens.

In the elections in the state of Bavaria, the CSU won 37 percent, the SPD 8.5 percent, the Greens 16 percent, the AfD 15 percent, the FW 14 percent, and in In the state of Hesse the CDU won 35.5 percent, the SPD 16 percent, the Greens 15.5 percent. AfD 16 percent.

The Left party failed to enter Parliament in both states. (AA)