Hamburg’s First Mayor, Peter Tschentscher, led the SPD to a significant victory despite some losses, maintaining its position as the leading party. The CDU surpassed the Greens, raising questions about future coalitions, while voter turnout increased to 68%. The SPD received 33.5% of the votes, with the Greens at 18.5%, and the CDU at 19.8%. Discussions for coalition governance are set to continue, with Tschentscher prioritizing talks with the Greens.
SPD Triumphs in Hamburg Election Amidst Political Shifts
A week after the federal election turmoil, Hamburg’s First Mayor, Peter Tschentscher, has successfully steered the SPD to a notable victory. Although the party experienced some losses, it remains the dominant force in the city. In a surprising turn, the CDU has surpassed the Greens, yet a Red-Green coalition remains a possibility.
In a congratulatory message on X, acting Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed confidence in Tschentscher’s leadership, stating, “Hamburg remains in good hands.” Scholz, who previously governed Hamburg before moving to Berlin in 2018, has seen his party companion, Tschentscher, maintain governance alongside the Greens. This coalition is set to continue, providing Tschentscher with a favorable political landscape.
Election Results and Implications for Future Governance
According to preliminary results, the SPD garnered 33.5 percent of the vote, a decline from nearly 39 percent in the 2020 election, but still a commendable achievement. This contrasts sharply with the federal party’s current standings. It’s important to note that due to Hamburg’s complex electoral law, the official vote counting will commence the day following the election, which may alter the final figures.
Meanwhile, the Greens, Tschentscher’s coalition partners, saw their support dip to 18.5 percent, making them the third-largest party after the CDU. Leading candidate and Second Mayor, Katharina Fegebank, expressed a sense of relief and optimism regarding the continuation of their alliance with the SPD.
The CDU, under Dennis Thering’s leadership, witnessed a significant rise from a mere 11.2 percent in 2020 to 19.8 percent, positioning them as the second strongest political entity in Hamburg. Despite this improvement, they are expected to remain in opposition, although Tschentscher has indicated a willingness to engage in discussions with them.
The Left Party also celebrated a noteworthy achievement, securing 11.2 percent of the vote—a notable increase compared to just over nine percent in the previous election. This resurgence could be linked to favorable trends at the federal level for the party. Conversely, the AfD lagged behind, achieving only 7.5 percent, an improvement from 5.3 percent in 2020.
Unfortunately, the FDP did not meet the five percent threshold, landing at 2.3 percent, marking a new low for the party in state elections. Similarly, the alliance led by Sahra Wagenknecht failed to enter the state parliament with just 1.8 percent, while the European party Volt managed to surpass them, obtaining 3.3 percent.
The voter turnout for this election was robust, with 68 percent of eligible voters participating, an increase from 63 percent in 2020. This translates to approximately 1.3 million Hamburg residents aged 16 and older who were eligible to cast their ballots.
As discussions unfold, both the SPD and Greens are keen on maintaining their coalition, a sentiment echoed by the electorate. Tschentscher has made it clear that he will first engage with the Greens, while also considering talks with the CDU. Thering has shown enthusiasm for negotiations, suggesting that a unified governance structure similar to that at the federal level would benefit Hamburg.
However, the dynamics in Hamburg differ significantly from federal politics. Tschentscher emphasized during his campaign that “Hamburg is different,” aiming to distance local governance from federal challenges. The Hamburg SPD has demonstrated resilience, proving to be more robust in the city-state compared to its federal counterpart. SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch noted that this election outcome positively impacts the party as a whole.
While this state election may not have immediate repercussions on the federal landscape, exploratory talks between the CDU and SPD are set to take place soon, driven by current events such as developments in the Ukraine conflict. Looking ahead, the next state elections in several federal states will occur in 2026, a pivotal moment for both parties.