GERMANY – Holm: “A wonderful evening for the AfD” after expected win in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

SCHWERIN, September 20 /ATSH-DPA/ – The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) celebrated victory this evening, as projections suggested it had emerged as the leading force in the regional elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

This marks the party’s second victory in a German state election in just two weeks.

“It’s a wonderful evening for Alternative for Germany,” declared Leif-Erik Holm, the party’s candidate for state premier, describing the AfD’s result as “really strong.”

The first projections from broadcasters ARD and ZDF placed the party, which supports mass deportations of migrants and closer relations with Russia, at 37–38 percent.

The AfD ranked just ahead of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) of the incumbent state premier, Manuela Schwesig, which secured around 36 percent of the vote.

Holm said the AfD would propose coalition talks to all parties.

However, the road to power is expected to be difficult, as all major parties have ruled out cooperation with the far right, in line with the policy known as the “firewall.”

Schwesig, who has led the state since 2017, thanked voters and admitted this had been her most difficult election campaign to date.

Her high personal approval gave the SPD a late boost, as the party faces major difficulties at national level.

A year ago, Schwesig said very few people would have thought it possible for the SPD to catch up with the AfD.

The latter had led the polls for entire months before Schwesig’s party narrowed the gap.

“From the start, we believed it was possible to stand up to the AfD, which has strengthened considerably in Eastern Germany and across the country,” Schwesig said.

She said she was ready to continue as state premier, predicting that the AfD would not be able to form a government.