In Rhineland-Palatinate's state election, the CDU won with 31 percent ahead of the SPD's 25.9 percent, ending 35 years of opposition. The AfD achieved its best result in a western German state at 19.5 percent, becoming the third strongest force. A grand coalition under CDU leader Gordon Schnieder is likely.
The CDU increased its vote share to 31.0 percent (2021: 27.7 percent) and gains 39 seats in the state parliament (previously 31). The SPD dropped to a historic low of 25.9 percent (2021: 35.7 percent) with 32 seats (previously 39). The AfD more than doubled to 19.5 percent (2021: 8.3 percent) with 24 seats (previously 9). The Greens slipped slightly to 7.9 percent (2021: 9.3 percent) with 10 seats. FDP (2.1 percent), Freie Wähler (4.2 percent), and Linke (4.4 percent) failed the five-percent hurdle. Turnout rose to 68.5 percent (2021: 64.3 percent) among around three million eligible voters. After ten years of SPD-Greens-FDP coalition, SPD dominance ends after 35 years. CDU leader Gordon Schnieder, a 50-year-old financial official from the Vulkaneifel, is set to become minister-president. He told ZDF: “We will form a coalition in the democratic center.” Amid applause, he shouted: “The CDU Rhineland-Palatinate is back!” Incumbent Alexander Schweitzer (SPD), who succeeded Malu Dreyer in 2024, congratulated him and ruled out joining a CDU-led government. Polls showed SPD losses among men (10 points), women (9 points), and all age groups; AfD gained especially among men (+14 points) and youth. Education was a key issue, where CDU was seen as competent. SPD launches internal debates; Bärbel Bas called the result “very bitter.”
