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CDU Ousts SPD in Rhineland-Palatinate as AfD Reaches Record 20% in West

The outcome gives Chancellor Friedrich Merz short-term relief before eastern regional contests where the AfD is polling strongly.

Le chancelier allemand Friedrich Merz (g) sur scène lors d'un événement de campagne en soutien à Gordon Schneider (s), candidat tête de liste de la CDU aux élections régionales de Rhénanie-Palatinat, le 22 mars 2026 à Bad Dürkheim, en Allemagne
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Des affiches électorales des principaux candidats des partis CDU et SPD près du parlement régional de Rhénanie-Palatinat à Mayence, dans le sud-ouest de l'Allemagne, le 22 mars 2026
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Overview

  • The CDU finished first with roughly 30–31% of the vote, ahead of the SPD in a state the Social Democrats had governed for 35 years, according to ARD and ZDF estimates.
  • Gordon Schneider declared victory and is expected to take over as minister-president as SPD incumbent Alexander Schweitzer prepares to leave office.
  • The AfD secured about 20% of the vote, its strongest result in a western German Land, and celebrated the showing as a major success.
  • Nationally the AfD polls near parity with the CDU at around 25%, though mainstream parties maintain a firewall against forming coalitions with it.
  • The result follows a severe SPD setback earlier in March in Baden-Württemberg, deepening the party’s slump as the CDU moves into coalition talks in Mainz.