Merz's CDU wins local elections in German state of Lower Saxony

The Christian Democrats (CDU) of embattled German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have remained the strongest party in local elections in the state of Lower Saxony, winning 27.2% according to preliminary results released on Monday.

The election comprised districts, towns and local authorities in the northern state, home to the Volkswagen automotive giant and Continental car parts supplier.

While local elections do not typically draw a lot of attention, Germany's political establishment is in turmoil following a resounding win last week for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, with state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern due on September 20.

The CDU lost 4.5 percentage points in Sunday's vote in Lower Saxony, down from its 31.7% showing in the previous local elections in 2021.

The conservatives' federal government coalition partner, the Social Democrats (SPD), came second on Sunday with 24.6%, down from 30% in 2021.

The AfD came third, with 15.9% of the vote - significantly up from the 4.6% achieved at district level in 2021, and the party's best-ever local election result in Lower Saxony.

The Greens came fourth with 14.1%, while The Left won 6.0% and the Free Democrats (FDP) won 3.7% of the vote, according to the state's election portal.

Turnout stood at 64.6%, a marked increase on the 57.0% of eligible voters who cast ballots five years earlier. Around 6.3 million people were eligible to vote for mayors, district administrators and local councils, including the Hanover regional assembly.

The results are seen as an important gauge of sentiment ahead of state parliament elections in Lower Saxony next year, and as an insight into the mood in the large western German state.

They also offer a brief reprieve to Merz, after the CDU took a battering in Saxony-Anhalt last weekend, collapsing to around 17%.