Land parliamentary elections 2016 – Baden-Wurttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony-Anhalt
Land parliamentary elections on March 13, 2016 were the first elections in area states since European elections of 2014, and the land parliamentary elections in Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia. With nearly 13 million eligible voters a good fifth of Germany's electorate were called to cast their vote.
Already in 2014 elections with successes for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) were influenced by the issues of immigration and flight.
The current elections were strongly affected by this topic relevant on federal level. Thus, expectations on federal level as to the results were accordingly high. Hints of approval or dismissal of the political course of the federal government were as much expected as a re-order of the party landscape.
Basically it can be said, that the majority of previous land parliamentary elections confirmed red-green land governments. This time, however, red-green land governments have been voted out with the smaller coalition partner losing significantly.
Voter turnout has increased not least because of the dominant federal controversy about immigration and asylum policy and the associated polarisation of society. Several parties profited from this increased interest.
In all three lands the governing coalitions were voted out of office although the minister presidents were confirmed. The land parliamentary elections have again changed the party system on state level. New multiple party parliaments emerged.
The AfD (right wing populist Alternative for Germany) is one of the big winners of election night and now represented in half of land parliaments. In Baden-Wurttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate it will be third strongest force, in Saxony-Anhalt even the second strongest group.The fear of an expanding Islam and increased crime due to further immigration were the main points the party campaigned with. This unique feature surely contributes to the party's success.
Another one is its attractiveness for protest voters: by voting for the AfD one could make sure to vex the other parties and to coerce them to react. The AfD represents an important minority of society and roots in a tradition oriented, social conservative basic current in society which have become politically homeless.
With this election its chances to become an established 6 to 12 per cent party have grown even if its function as a protest party will have ceded. It gained higher than average approval of male and under 45 voters, among the main and middle school educated, workers and unemployed.
The Greens for the first time became strongest force in Baden-Wurttemberg with nearly a third of the electorate casting their vote for them. In the other states they barely gained access into parliament.
The CDU (Christian conservatives) lost in all three states and the Social Democrats again have to accept historic defeats. The FDP (liberals) can gain in all three states compared to 2011.
DIE LINKE could not achieve its election goals. She clearly misses entry into parliament in Baden-Wurttemberg as well as in Rhineland-Palatinate. All prime candidates stood out with the stance for open borders for people in need and against racism.
In Saxony-Anhalt the left party looses significantly and fell below the level of 1994. Furthermore, she looses its status as opposition leader which now has become the AfD. The land parliamentary group looses ten seats.
Wulf Gallert, prime candidate of DIE LINKE in Saxony-Anhalt resigned on Monday, giving way for „a change and new faces“.
In all three states parties left from the conservatives lost while populist policy mobilising against „the elites“ and „the other“ has gained. Resentment against „politics“ and the establishment hit the left party too.