Germany: Olaf Scholz's party wins test election in Lower Saxony

The outgoing Minister President of Lower Saxony, the Social Democrat Stephan Weil, after the announcement of the first results which give the PSD the lead in the elections, in Hanover, October 9, 2022. REUTERS - LISI NIESNER

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

It's a respite for Olaf Scholz.

The Social Democratic Party, the party of the German chancellor whose popularity rating is in decline in Germany, won the elections in Lower Saxony, in the center of the country, on Sunday 9 October.

The SPD came out on top with 33% of the vote, according to the latest estimates. 

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With our correspondent in Berlin

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Despite growing public discontent, Olaf Scholz's party came out on top in the Lower Saxony regional poll, a referendum-like vote on government policy, facing a series of crises unprecedented since the invasion of Ukraine.

The outgoing Minister President, the Social Democrat Stephan Weil, therefore retains his post.

Despite his setback compared to the last elections, he could be able to govern with the Greens, who have progressed by five points. 

Strong progress also for the far-right AfD party, which is capitalizing on the frustrations and concerns aroused by inflation and soaring energy prices.

The traditional parties, CDU and SPD, are the main victims of this new surge of the extreme right, a phenomenon which worries observers and the political class, while inflation could reach 10% this year.

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• Germany

• Olaf Scholz