Record voter turnout in Brandenburg election highlights opposition to AfD

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Brandenburg's recent election recorded a historic turnout, with 72.9% of eligible voters participating. This high engagement appears to reflect a widespread rejection of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. According to an exit poll conducted by broadcaster ARD, more than 75% of those who cast their votes for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) did so as a deliberate stance against the AfD.

Dietmar Woidke, the long-standing SPD state premier, strategically distanced himself from fellow party member Olaf Scholz, the current Chancellor of Germany. Scholz's declining popularity likely influenced Woidke’s decision to focus on his own personal appeal during the campaign. He framed the election as a referendum on his leadership, promising to resign if the SPD did not secure a favorable outcome.

The election results indicate that the electorate's concerns about the AfD played a significant role in shaping voter behavior. Woidke's approach appears to have resonated with voters, as evidenced by the substantial turnout and the SPD's performance at the polls.