Overview
- Polling stations are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the first TV prognoses at 6 p.m., initial projections from about 6:30 p.m., and the official result expected later.
- Cem Özdemir for the Greens and Manuel Hagel for the CDU are vying to replace Winfried Kretschmann, who steps down after 15 years as minister-president.
- Late-campaign polling shows CDU and Greens virtually tied at roughly 28 percent each after a rapid Green comeback from a large CDU lead in autumn 2025.
- Forecasts point to a renewed CDU–Green government as the most viable outcome, with the AfD polling strongly around 20 percent and the SPD weak at roughly 7–9 percent; FDP and Left Party hover near the 5 percent threshold.
- The vote opens a super election year and carries national stakes for party leaders in Berlin, with close attention on the CDU’s performance.