Status: 05/08/2022 12:52 p.m
Today Schleswig-Holstein elects a new state parliament. The polling stations have been open since 8 a.m. The more than 2.3 million eligible voters can cast their votes until 6 p.m.
In many places, the first residents of Schleswig-Holstein already put their crosses in the morning. According to the state returning authority, the turnout at 11 a.m. was only 16.3 percent. Five years ago, more people went to the polls at this point, namely 21.5 percent. State returning officer Tilo von Riegen suspects that this could be due to the good weather – or because it is Mother’s Day and people had a hearty breakfast. According to von Riegen, Corona could also play a role: “We have had a few failures among the election workers who have to be quarantined today because they are Corona positive,” he reports.
Leading candidates from the major parties vote
Those entitled to vote can choose a direct candidate in their constituency and cast their second vote for one of the 16 participating parties. All the top candidates from the major parties have already cast their votes: Günther from the CDU, Losse-Müller from the SPD and Heinold from the Greens. The first forecast of the outcome of the election is expected shortly after 6 p.m.
Daniel Günther from the CDU is the favorite
Prime Minister Daniel Günther’s CDU is the favourite. Günther would like to remain head of government in Schleswig-Holstein and advocates a continuation of the Jamaica alliance. The 48-year-old is challenged by his deputy Monika Heinold from the Greens, who has been finance minister in the country for ten years. Thomas Losse-Müller from the SPD would also like to work in the state chancellery.
According to polls, a two-party alliance is possible, Jamaica rather unlikely
Polls by infratest dimap recently saw the CDU in the lead among voters, followed by the SPD and the Greens. The CDU and FDP have spoken out in favor of a resumption of the Jamaica coalition that has been in power since 2017, while the Greens have not committed themselves. Despite poor poll numbers, the SPD hopes for a government alliance with the Greens and SSW or with the Greens and FDP. According to surveys, a CDU-led two-party alliance would be mathematically possible – a continuation of the Jamaica coalition of CDU, Greens and FDP seems rather unlikely.
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