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CDU Dominates Hesse Elections as AfD Surges

3/17/2026

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Story summary
  • In the March 16, 2026 Hesse regional elections, the Christian Democrats (CDU) led with 29.7% of the vote.
  • The Social Democrats (SPD) fell to 20.2%, down from 2021.
  • The Greens dropped to fourth with 14.4%, overtaken by the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which more than doubled its support to 15.9%.
  • The AfD's rise prompted scrutiny from domestic intelligence.
  • Voter turnout was 54.4%, higher than the previous election's 50.4%.