Germany avoids a second far-right victory, but only just

The victory likely comes as a relief for Scholz, whose party has led the state since German reunification in 1990.

This time, however, the SPD will have to share power with the left-wing populist Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), rather than rule without restriction.

The BSW was only formed at the beginning of the year and, in the words of its founder Sahra Wagenknecht, leans towards “enlightened conservatism”.

Despite being in second place, the far-right AfD made significant gains in Brandenburg. Earlier this month, he won in Thuringia he did it first the extreme right party to win major elections in Germany from the Nazis in 1938.

The AfD’s growing popularity has caused concern among its rivals, with Brandenburg Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke threatening to resign if the AfD wins in his state.

Germany’s national elections will be held in September next year.

A 2023 poll showed Scholz was the lowest-voting German chancellor in history, and Politico said he was even asked not to campaign in Brandenburg because of his unpopularity.