According to projections published by public broadcaster NDR and calculated by the Infratest dimap agency, Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) won the municipal elections in Lower Saxony with 27.7 percent of the vote, ahead of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) at 24.5 percent. Both ruling federal parties lost ground compared to the 2021 municipal elections, while the Alternative for Germany (AfD), classified by the Lower Saxony domestic intelligence service as a proven right-wing extremist organization, more than tripled its share to 16.5 percent.
How Lower Saxony Parties Performed in Municipal Projections
The projection published by NDR covers council election results across major Lower Saxony cities, districts, and regions. According to the data, the conservative CDU dropped from 31.7 percent recorded five years prior down to 27.7 percent. The SPD similarly declined from 30 percent in 2021 to 24.5 percent.
Meanwhile, the AfD surged from 4.6 percent to 16.5 percent. The Green Party secured 13.6 percent, down 2.3 percentage points, while the radical left-wing Left Party rose from 2.8 to 5.9 percent. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) dropped from 6.5 to 3.6 percent, according to the Infratest dimap figures. Official results are scheduled for release on Monday morning.
Industrial Stakes in Lower Saxony’s Economy
Lower Saxony spans northwestern Germany with roughly eight million residents, housing major urban centers like Hanover alongside Braunschweig, Wolfsburg, Osnabrück, and Göttingen. Wolfsburg serves as the headquarters for the Volkswagen automotive group, which also operates factories in Braunschweig, Hanover, and Emden. Plants in Hanover and Emden currently face potential closures, according to reporting on regional industrial pressures.
The state government holds an 11.8 percent stake in Volkswagen shares and maintains a 20 percent blocking minority within the automaker. Approximately 6.3 million voters were eligible to cast ballots in the municipal contest for regional assemblies, county parliaments, municipal councils, and mayoral offices.
Broader Regional Electoral Trends
The local vote followed regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt a week prior, where the AfD won 43.8 percent of the vote. The Saxony-Anhalt domestic intelligence service has classified the local AfD branch as a proven right-wing extremist organization since 2023. Lower Saxony remains the only federal state in the former West Germany where the regional intelligence service similarly classifies the local AfD as proven right-wing extremist.
Elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin are scheduled for the following week. Polls indicate the AfD is projected to win the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania vote with 35 to 37 percent, while the CDU, Left Party, and AfD hold roughly equal chances in Berlin, according to public polling data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the municipal elections in Lower Saxony?
According to Infratest dimap projections published by NDR, Friedrich Merz’s CDU secured first place with 27.7 percent of the vote.
How did the AfD perform in Lower Saxony?
The AfD more than tripled its support, rising from 4.6 percent in the previous election to 16.5 percent.
When will official election results be announced?
Official results are set to be released on Monday morning.
What is Lower Saxony’s connection to Volkswagen?
Wolfsburg serves as VW’s headquarters, and the state government owns an 11.8 percent share in the company alongside a 20 percent blocking minority.
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