After the repeat election in Berlin, the SPD and the Greens are only slightly apart. The state election committee announced the official result on Monday. Accordingly, the SPD is only 53 votes ahead of the Greens.
According to the official figures now available, the CDU clearly won the repeat election with 28.2 percent. SPD and Greens both got 18.4 percent. The left came to 12.2 percent in the election, the AfD to 9.1 percent. The FDP flew out of parliament with 4.6 percent.
There are 159 MPs in the new Berlin state parliament. The CDU has 52 seats, the SPD and the Greens each have 34 seats. The Left has 22 seats and the AfD has 17 seats.
The picture on sunday had already reported on the final result on Saturday and referred to documents from the election committee. Other media had also reported on the numbers. Now the official confirmation follows.
It was already clear on the evening of the repeat election that it would be tight, especially between the Greens and the SPD. According to initial counts, the SPD was ahead of the Greens by 105 votes. Shortly after the election, hundreds of postal ballots were found that had not been counted. Now the lead of the Social Democrats has shrunk, but nothing has changed in the overall situation.
The state election of September 26, 2021 was repeated on February 12 of this year because there had been various glitches during the process.
State Returning Officer Bröchler now drew a positive balance and spoke of a success. “We have regained confidence in democracy,” he said. “Berlin can vote.” But that’s no reason to sit back and relax. “We have to get better and learn from mistakes.” It is now necessary to tackle structural reforms, such as setting up a state electoral office and strengthening the role of the state returning officer.
However, it is still unclear how the election results will continue. Despite the defeat against the CDU, the red-green-red government coalition Franziska Giffey could continue, but a black-green government is also possible.
Despite the defeat against the CDU, Giffey wants to continue
Giffey himself had announced early on that he wanted to remain in office. Nevertheless, in an interview with Zeit Online, she emphasized that she was not attached to her office. No, I’m not attached to my position. Really not.” She is ready to find the best way for Berlin and to think beyond the day for the SPD. “It’s not about me sitting in my chair, but also like the SPD in three years the next election.”
The leaders of the CDU and SPD factions have been holding exploratory negotiations for more than a week. The result should be announced at the end of the week.