The state elections in North Rhine-Westphalia started on Sunday with a high turnout. By noon, nearly 36 percent of those eligible to vote had already participated, said state return officer Wolfgang Schellen, based on samples from eight districts and boroughs. A tight race is expected.
The polling stations are open until 6 p.m. The first forecast of the election results is expected shortly afterwards. About 13 million people have the right to vote in Germany’s most populous state. In recent opinion polls, a mutual race arose between the CDU with Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst and the SPD with top candidate Thomas Kutschaty.
The results of the state elections and possible future coalitions are considered completely open. The black-and-yellow coalition that has been in power for five years no longer has a majority in polls. In North Rhine-Westphalia, a red-green coalition was in power until 2017.
Tight race expected
In several investigations, a close race has recently developed between the CDU and the SPD. At about 30 to 32 percent, the CDU was just ahead of the SPD at 28 to 29 percent. In most studies, the CDU is two to three percentage points ahead of the SPD – a statement about the ranking of both parties is not possible because of the statistical error rate. What’s more, according to polls, many voters still didn’t know who they would vote for.
The Greens are in the polls at 16 to 18 percent and could get their best state election result with their top candidate Mona Neubaur. The FDP with top candidate Joachim Stamp could only count on seven to eight percent, the AfD with six to eight percent. At about three percent, the left would again miss access to the state parliament.
“Little Federal Elections”
For the federal parties in Germany and the traffic light coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP that governs the federal government, the vote in North Rhine-Westphalia is also considered a “minor federal election” and an important ballot test. Last Sunday, the CDU with Prime Minister Daniel Günther clearly won the elections in Schleswig-Holstein. The SPD had previously won the state elections in Saarland with Anke Rehlinger.
The fact that North Rhine-Westphalia has long ceased to be the SPD’s ‘home state’ is apparent from the fact that the CDU and SPD have alternated in government in recent years. In 2017 the CDU and FDP formed a coalition, until 2017 a red-green alliance was at the helm.
Multiple coalition options
There may be several options for the next state government in North Rhine-Westphalia. According to surveys, in addition to a rather unpopular grand coalition of CDU and SPD, a black-green alliance or a Jamaican alliance of CDU, Greens and FDP could be possible. The SPD could also form a traffic light coalition with the Greens and FDP, as in the federal government. In some polls, it is not enough for a red-green majority.
Prime Minister Wüst would like to continue to rule with the FDP, but the Liberals – like the Greens – are keeping all options open. North Rhine-Westphalia SPD leader and former Justice Minister Kutschaty, who is also deputy federal chairman of the SPD, can envision the formation of a traffic light coalition like in the federal government.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
