After the state elections in Lower Saxony, one thing is clear: the SPD and the Greens have an absolute majority and want to form a coalition. Talks are expected to take place between the parties later this week.
But what is still unclear: What effects will this election have on federal politics? Can Olaf Scholz use the victory of Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) for himself, even though he repeatedly distanced himself from the Chancellor during the election campaign? After the good result in Lower Saxony, will the Greens also get better poll numbers in the federal government? What does the strong result of the AfD, which is now in double digits, mean?
There are also many exciting questions on the side of the losers: How is CDU leader Friedrich Merz dealing with the defeat? And: What kind of FDP will you see in the federal government in the next few weeks after it failed at the five percent hurdle in Lower Saxony? Is the coalition in Berlin shaking because of the election in the second largest German state? Here is an overview of the reactions to the election:
The CDU blames the traffic light for the loss of votes and for the success of the AfD
The CDU achieved a historically poor result of 28.1 percent in Lower Saxony on Sunday. Country Manager Bernd Althusmann announced on Sunday evening that he would be stepping down from his position, and further personnel changes could follow. Of the CDU chairman Friedrich Merz today dismissed the party’s national director, Stefan Hennewig. He has lacked “impact” in recent campaigns, like the portal The Pioneer reported.
Secretary General Mario Czaja said on ARD that he sees “a violent conflict in this coalition”. In the current crisis situation, the AfD has benefited from this, but it does not offer its own solutions to people’s problems. “It’s bitter to see, but it’s also a result of the work of the federal government.”
At a press conference in the Konrad-Adenauer-Haus, Merz and Althusmann now take a stand and comment on the reasons for the defeat in Lower Saxony and the lessons that the Christian Democrats want to draw from it.
The FDP wants to raise its profile after the election defeat
The FDP sees its role in the federal traffic light coalition as the main reason for the defeat. Party leader Christian Lindner said the election result in Lower Saxony had weakened the federal government. “The traffic light has lost its legitimacy,” he said at a press conference. Not the FDP, but the traffic light has a problem, Lindner continues. Therefore, the party wants to think about the content-related balance within the traffic light government.
After the elections in Lower Saxony, Christian Lindner wants to think about the balance in the federal coalition.
(Photo: Annegret Hilse/Reuters)
The result is reason to sharpen the profile of the party. One is “the only liberal party in the middle,” said Lindner. By the next federal party conference in the year, they want to talk about how this could succeed.
Konstantin Kuhle, Secretary General of the FDP in Lower Saxony, made an effort not to let the disappointment about the result become a danger for the traffic lights in the federal government. Provoking a crisis in Berlin is what the right-wing extremists want and corresponds to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin’s goal of chaos in the democracies, he said. The craft of government in the Berlin traffic light must be improved, but the FDP must remain in the coalition, said Kuhle, who is also vice-chairman of the FDP parliamentary group.
Also FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai blamed the coalition partners SPD and Greens in the federal traffic light government for the defeat on the evening of the election. “My party still has major problems with this coalition,” he said. One must prevent “left-wing projects from being implemented in this coalition.”
The SPD wants peace in the traffic light government
The situation in the SPD is quite different. The previous one is considered the clear winner of the state elections in Lower Saxony Prime Minister Stephan Weil, who will probably remain in office. Despite losses, his party gained 33.4 percent on Sunday and remains the strongest force.
In the evening he promised a return to a red-green coalition in Lower Saxony. “If I have the chance, I would like to form a red-green state government,” said the SPD’s top candidate. It would be the third term for the SPD’s top candidate.
Secretary General Kevin Kuehnert tried to calm the coalition partner in the federal government. “Now there is no general election, and we are working stoically on what we have planned,” he said.
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil is concerned about the outcome of the AfD. People have worries and fears, but this should not lead to voting for the AfD. “People should feel that they can rely on us,” he says. Therefore, there must be quick decisions on the gas commission’s proposals.
Greens want to set their own issues
On Monday, the day after the state elections, the party committees of the Greens in Lower Saxony meet. With 14.5 percent, the party achieved a record result and wants to set its own priorities. “We want to make Lower Saxony and the Lower Saxony economy climate-neutral, that will be a major focus. We will also focus on social participation and educational equity,” said Lead candidate Julia Willie Hamburg. The main point of contention could be the turnaround in mobility.
Of the Green leader Omid Nouripour meanwhile appealed to the traffic light coalition partners. Despite different feelings about the outcome of the election, one should show unity to the outside world: “The bottom line is that the cooperation is good – despite all the differences that we have.” The responsibility of the government in view of the current crises is enormous and must continue to be taken on together.
AfD sees itself as a people’s party with double-digit results
In addition to the SPD and the Greens, the AfD can also call itself the election winner. In 2017, the right-wing extremist party landed at 6.2 percent, now in 2022 it is clearly in double digits at 10.9 percent. AfD federal leader Tino Chrupalla was very pleased with the result. “Anything over ten percent in the West is a people’s party. That’s us,” he said. “We are back.”