Trending Now - Afd Achieves Record Results in Rhineland-palatinate Elections

WHO:

Christian Democratic Union (CDU)

Social Democratic Party (SPD)

Alternative for Germany (AfD)

Alice Weidel, AfD party leader

Jens Spahn, CDU parliamentary group leader

Gordon Schnieder, CDU lead candidate in Rhineland-Palatinate

Alexander Schweitzer, incumbent state premier from SPD

Friedrich Merz, Chancellor and CDU leader

Lars Klingbeil, SPD party leader and Vice-Chancellor

WHAT:

CDU received 30.6% to 30.9% of the vote, leading the election.

SPD's vote share dropped to 25.7% to 25.8%, a loss of around 9 to 10 percentage points.

AfD achieved approximately 20% of the vote, marking its best result in a state election in western Germany.

AfD's support more than doubled from 8.3% in the last state election five years ago to 19.7%.

The Greens received 7.9% of the vote.

The Free Democrats (FDP) received around 2% and will not enter the state parliament.

The Left Party received just over 4% and also missed entering parliament.

Jens Spahn described the CDU's victory as "historic" and a boost for the party at the federal level.

Alice Weidel stated, "We have achieved record results," emphasizing the AfD's role as an opposition party.

WHERE:

Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

WHEN:

Election results were projected on March 20th, 2026.

The election is part of a series of five state races in 2026, referred to as a "Superwahljahr."

WHY:

The SPD's loss is attributed to a significant drop in voter support after 35 years of governance.

The AfD's gains reflect a growing acceptance of their platform outside their traditional eastern strongholds.

HOW:

The CDU's success was attributed to a "combative campaign" led by Gordon Schnieder.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 05:41 UTC)

In the recent state election in Rhineland-Palatinate, the Christian Democratic Union, or CDU, emerged as the leading party with approximately 30.6% to 30.9% of the vote, while the Social Democratic Party, or SPD, saw a significant drop to 25.7% to 25.8%. The Alternative for Germany, or AfD, achieved its best result in a state election in western Germany, garnering around 20% of the vote, more than doubling its support from five years ago. CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn hailed the victory as "historic," while AfD leader Alice Weidel celebrated their record results, highlighting the changing political landscape in the region.