In Hessian local elections on March 15, the CDU emerged strongest statewide with 29.8 percent. The SPD dropped to 20.8 percent, while the AfD gained to 14.8 percent. Turnout rose to 54.3 percent.
Hessian local elections took place on March 15, electing new district councils, city and municipal parliaments, and local councils. According to the official final result from the Statistical State Office in Wiesbaden, the CDU achieved 29.8 percent of the votes, a gain of 1.3 percentage points compared to 2021. The SPD slipped to 20.8 percent (down 3.2 points). The AfD improved markedly from 6.8 to 14.8 percent, securing third place. The Greens fell from 18.4 to 14.0 percent, the Left rose to 5.7 percent (from 4.0), and the FDP dropped to 3.9 percent (from 6.7). Turnout was 54.3 percent, up from 50.4 percent in 2021. The count took longer due to the complex system, where voters had as many votes as seats in the bodies. Initial trends considered only crosses for full lists; now all votes are tallied, with no change in party order. Around 4.7 million were eligible, including 430,000 EU foreigners. Candidates came from 24 parties and 555 voter groups. Foreigner advisory councils were also elected in two districts and 87 municipalities, with 2,086 candidates for 916 seats.
