In the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state election, Minister-President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) and her AfD challenger, Leif-Erik Holm, cast their votes. Holm voted shortly after 10 am at a polling station in Schweriner Paulsstadt, while Schwesig went to vote in her constituency around midday. Following her vote, Schwesig called on citizens to participate, urging them to send a “strong signal” to secure a “good, stable future” for the state.
Polls had long predicted a landslide victory for the AfD, which is expected to significantly boost its results compared to five years ago. However, the SPD has made rapid gains in recent months, reportedly surpassing the AfD in at least the ZDF political barometer. This points to a closely contested race between the SPD and the AfD, though Schwesig maintains strong prospects of remaining the chief executive. In contrast, the CDU, the Greens, and BSW are facing difficulty, as they are consistently hovering near the five percent electoral threshold in surveys.
The election for the ninth State Parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern allows approximately 1.3 million people to vote until 6 pm. The state parliament itself consists of a minimum of 71 deputies. Eligibility is extended to any German citizen over 16 years of age who has resided in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for at least 37 days. Polling stations will close at 6 pm, after which exit polls and official estimates of the results are expected.
