Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored major gains in local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, nearly tripling its vote share and stoking fears for democratic stability.
According to preliminary results, the anti-immigrant AfD secured 14.5% of votes in city and county councils in Sunday's election, nearly tripling their 5% share from the 2020 local elections. The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, maintained its dominant position with 33.3 of % votes.
"This result must give us pause for thought and certainly cannot let us sleep peacefully. Not even my party, which clearly won this election," said North Rhine-Westphalia's conservative premier Hendrik Wust in a television interview with public broadcaster ARD.
While expressing concern for the rise of AfD, Wust warned against hasty conclusions that the far-right is gaining momentum in western Germany after its earlier successes in former eastern states.
In Sunday's local elections, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) secured second place with 22.1% of votes. The Greens experienced a sharp decline, winning only 13.5% compared to their 20% share five years ago. The socialist Left Party garnered 5.6%, while the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) received 3.7%.
