Manuela Schwesig in election campaign mode: The fight against the AfD begins!

Manuela Schwesig in election campaign mode: The fight against the AfD begins!

With a clear focus on the upcoming state elections in autumn 2026 Northern Courier reports that Manuela Schwesig, the 51-year-old Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, has already switched to election campaign mode. Given that the AfD is currently ahead of the SPD in polls, it plans to structure this election campaign as a duel against the AfD. In late summer 2021, she was able to lead the SPD to a triumphant election victory with almost 40 percent of the vote, but now the situation looks different.

Schwesig not only activated the election campaign, but also made changes in her government. Political points of attack and weak points within the government were exchanged in order to bring a breath of fresh air into state politics. The personnel changes in the cabinet are particularly noteworthy: Friedrich Straetmanns, until recently State Secretary, has had to vacate his place, and Interior Minister Christian Pegel has given up responsibility for digitalization. This decision goes to Finance Minister Heiko Geue. Agriculture and Environment Minister Till Backhaus also remains popular, but has also fired his state secretary in order to avoid defeat.

Focus on the country

Schwesig has clearly positioned herself and declared that she is not available for the SPD party chairmanship. Loud The time She would like to concentrate entirely on Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and save her state from the AfD. The pressure for reform within the SPD is great: the party in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania had never achieved such poor results in a federal election before, only 16.4 percent on February 23, 2025.

Schwesig, who has held the office of Prime Minister since 2017 and served as Federal Minister for Family Affairs from 2013 to 2017, sees herself as the state politician who is closer to the concerns of citizens. Berlin, as she describes it, feels like a “spaceship” that is far removed from people’s important issues. They now want to use their experience in coalition negotiations at state and federal level to stabilize their government and win the next election.

Key biographical data

Born on May 23, 1974 in Frankfurt (Oder), Schwesig has a solid professional background. After graduating from high school, she studied at the University of Applied Sciences for Finance and obtained a degree in finance. Her career took her to various ministries in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and later to federal politics, which enabled her to gain a wealth of experience. Married and mother of two children, it is important to Schwesig to devote herself to citizens' issues and to bring her influence from the grassroots. Government MV emphasizes that Schwesig has been active in politics for over 15 years and embodies a strong leadership style.

How the political landscape in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will develop is still uncertain. One thing is certain, however: Manuela Schwesig has great ambitions to lead her country safely through the coming challenges. It remains to be seen whether it can gain the upper hand in a duel against the AfD.