Local elections in Lower Saxony: CDU triumphs despite loss

Normally this is how it works after local elections: The losers say that not much can be derived from this because local elections are something completely, completely different. The winners, on the other hand, think that they have fundamentally proven their true strength here.

This time in Lower Saxony there was a winner and a loser, both of whom could barely walk because of their strength. First there was the CDU, which was overjoyed that not even Merz could manage to drive them into the ground. Losses of more than 4 percentage points are a reason for congratulations, especially if one had secretly expected much worse.

And then there was the AfD: according to individual surveys and the tailwind from Saxony-Anhalt, they had already seen themselves at 20 percent, but in the end they were happy about simply tripling their previous result to 15.9 percent. Especially because this time it was also able to score points in cities and not just in rural areas.

The taz is an independent, left-wing and opinionated daily newspaper. We have been arguing in our comments, essays and debate texts since the taz was founded in 1979. We often cannot and do not want to agree on an opinion. That's why you'll find some completely opposing positions here - all part of the very broad left-wing spectrum of opinions.

What is astonishing, however, is how despondent and frightened the SPD reacts. The losses couldn't have been a big surprise to them either. Nevertheless, it is difficult to even find a language for it. This is not only due to the mood in the federal government, but also to the fear of next year's state elections.

Of course, local elections are often something different. Nowhere else do individuals have such an opportunity to turn something around thanks to their local roots. And yet you can see here: The middle is crumbling, the edges are winning. Even in quiet, tranquil Lower Saxony.

The official bonus, the municipal bonus, is no longer as effective as it used to be. Councils and district councils are fragmenting, runoff elections are becoming more frequent. This requires new forms of cooperation: changing alliances or multi-party coalitions. This works well where you are not primarily concerned with cultivating your own party profile neurosis. And it's hard when you're just fighting for defense or survival. And unfortunately that also applies to the federal government.