Angela Merkel's CDU defeated in Hamburg elections

(Patria) – Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) achieved their worst result so far in the Hamburg elections, finishing third with only 11.2% support, which is attributed, among other things, to cooperation with the far right in recent elections in an eastern state.

Preliminary results also show that the far-right AfD, albeit barely, still entered the state parliament just days after an extremist killed 11 people in Hanau, in an attack characterized as racist and motivated by the ideology of the German far right.

Thus, the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens celebrated victory (first and second place) in Germany's second-largest city, and it is assumed they will retain their ruling coalition for the next term.

The CDU has been further shaken by the recently announced departure of party leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, leaving a big question mark over who will lead the party. Currently, there are five candidates for the position of party leader and chancellor, given that Merkel, as announced, will not run after nearly 15 years at the helm of Germany.

The AfD benefits from the anger caused by Angela Merkel's open-door policy towards migrants, especially in the former communist east of the country, where her party barely entered parliament with only 5.3% support.

The SPD, which shares power with the conservatives at the federal level, has seen a slight decline compared to 2015, but with 39.1% support, it remains by far the largest party in Hamburg.

Nevertheless, the biggest winners in the Hamburg elections were the Greens, who nearly doubled their support (24.1%), reflecting the nation's impulse regarding climate change.