The federal elections in Hesse came to an end with a similarly high turnout as four years ago. 4.3 million people in Hessen were called to cast their first and second votes. They could cast their vote until 6 p.m. However, many eligible voters have already cast their votes by voting by letter. Many people in Hesse were also called upon to elect mayors, mayors and district administrators. How high the voter turnout was will only be revealed once the preliminary official final results have been announced.

By 2 p.m., 41.3 percent of those eligible to vote had used their opportunity to vote in the federal elections, as a spokeswoman for the state returning officer announced at the request of the FAZ.

Four years ago, almost 46 percent had participated at that time.

But: This year there should be considerably more postal voters across the country, as data from Frankfurt alone suggest.

In the federal government, the SPD and CDU are in a head-to-head race, the Greens are growing significantly, the FDP is also gaining shares, while the AfD and the Left are losing, according to the first forecast, which is confirmed by projections.

Bouffier: Government possible under CDU leadership

The state chairwoman of the Hessian SPD, Nancy Faeser, described the result of the federal election as a “great success” for her party and its candidate for chancellor. The people in Germany wanted an SPD-led federal government with a Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The party has proven in the past weeks and months that a clear future program and a credible, experienced candidate for chancellor lead to success. “Everyone who wrote us off in the past few months was wrong.” The ideas and ideals of social democracy are needed more than ever in the 21st century.

The Hessian Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) reiterated the position that the second strongest force could attempt to form a government.

"That is the constitutional situation and it was the same with Willy Brand and Helmut Schmidt," he told the FFH broadcaster.

The Union politician sees the politicians in Berlin facing “demanding talks”.

But he was confident that a Jamaica alliance could be formed.

“We are ready to hold the talks.” Bouffier, who is also the deputy federal chairman, was satisfied that it had apparently been possible to prevent a red-green-red alliance.

Greens: Not as good as hoped

The Hessian Greens were delighted with "the best federal result of all time".

The two state chairmen, Sigrid Erfurth and Philip Krämer, also stated that their result was “undoubtedly not as good as hoped”.

They see their party "in a strong starting position" for the upcoming exploratory and coalition negotiations.

"It is clear that only with the Greens in the federal government will there be real climate protection, social equality and a new social awakening," said the two state politicians.