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Woidke remains head of the SPD: anniversary and challenges for Brandenburg!
Dietmar Woidke will remain Prime Minister of Brandenburg after his re-election. SPD celebrates 35 years of commitment despite challenges.
Woidke remains head of the SPD: anniversary and challenges for Brandenburg!
The SPD in Brandenburg took a clear course at the state party conference in Cottbus, which simultaneously celebrated the 35th anniversary of the party's re-foundation and government. Dietmar Woidke, who has been Prime Minister and state chairman of the SPD since 2013, was re-elected with an impressive 85% of the vote. Lars Klingbeil congratulated him personally and was satisfied with the result, although he addressed the SPD's disappointing 16.4% in the federal election in February, which had shaped the mood before the state election in September 2024.
It was also demonstrated that despite internal challenges, such as the resignation of Katrin Lange as interior minister and deputy state chairwoman - a decision that resulted from a conflict over the classification of the AfD as clearly right-wing extremist - support for Woidke remains strong. Woidke spoke clearly in favor of this classification and warned of the challenges of a possible ban on the AfD, which established itself as the second strongest force in the last state election.
situation before the election
Before the elections, more than half of the population felt the economic situation was bad, which led to a certain dissatisfaction with the red-black-green state government. A survey showed that 50% of respondents are dissatisfied and 71% reject a new coalition. At the same time, 86% of Brandenburg residents said they rated their personal economic situation as good. This discrepancy shows that many voters, despite dissatisfaction with their own party, choose the SPD primarily to protect themselves against the AfD.
The voter turnout was a record 72.9%, which shows a high level of mobilization, but also the uncertainties within the electorate. The AfD in particular was able to win voters from the ranks of almost all other parties, including over 80,000 former non-voters. These developments could not make forming a coalition easy for Woidke.
The current coalition and its challenges
The current coalition between the SPD and BSW now faces pressure to stabilize or seek new partnerships, especially as polls show that 38% of Brandenburg residents support AfD participation in government, while 62% see this as a threat to democracy and the rule of law. Forming a coalition is considered difficult because the SPD is ahead of the AfD at 30.9%, but does not have a secure majority.
Woidke must now develop a clear plan to reduce widespread dissatisfaction and at the same time strengthen trust among his own voters. It is important to note that his popularity as Prime Minister is at 65% and overall satisfaction with his job at 61%, which gives him some support, but the challenges are significant.
With a view to the possible coalition situation in Brandenburg state parliament shows that current government coalitions are now under pressure to secure a majority. The country team and the continuation of the coalition partnerships require a wise strategic direction, especially in view of the upcoming elections and the political shifts that they could bring with them. Woidke's task will be to demonstrate a good knack for the next steps so that the SPD can consolidate its position in Brandenburg.