Far-Right Parties Gain Ground in German Local Mayoral Elections
In a significant political shift, René Stadtkewitz of the far-right AfD party was elected mayor of Zehdenick, Brandenburg, marking the first direct mayoral victory for the party in the state. Simultaneously, Stefan Hartung from the extremist Free Saxony group led the first round in Aue-Bad Schlema, Saxony, advancing to a runoff. These results highlight the growing influence of right-wing and extremist factions in eastern German local politics, driven by voter dissatisfaction and fragmented centrist opposition, raising concerns about the normalization of anti-democratic ideals in municipal governance.
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AfD Candidate Elected Mayor in Zehdenick, Brandenburg
René Stadtkewitz, a politician from the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has been elected as the full-time mayor of Zehdenick in Brandenburg, marking the first time an AfD candidate has won such a position in the state. Stadtkewitz secured 58.4% of the vote in the first round, defeating candidates from the FDP and other minor parties. The election reflects significant local dissatisfaction with established politics, evidenced by a low voter turnout of 52.8% and a recent history of instability where three previous mayors resigned or were removed within five years. Stadtkewitz, a former CDU member who founded the right-wing populist party 'Die Freiheit' before joining the AfD, campaigned on themes of reliability and change. While some residents expressed support for his personal demeanor and desire for new leadership, others remained apathetic. The victory highlights the growing influence of the AfD in local German politics amidst voter fatigue with traditional parties.
taz.de - taz.deAfD Wins First Mayoral Seat in Brandenburg as Right-Wing Gains Rise in Local Elections
In the local elections held on May 11, 2026, in Saxony and Brandenburg, right-wing parties achieved significant breakthroughs. For the first time, an Alternative for Germany (AfD) candidate, René Stadtkewitz, was directly elected mayor in Zehdenick, Brandenburg, securing an absolute majority of 58.4 percent. This victory occurred amidst a fragmented political landscape where major centrist parties like the CDU, SPD, Greens, and Left did not field candidates. Simultaneously, in Aue-Bad Schlema, Saxony, Stefan Hartung, a candidate from the right-wing extremist group Free Saxony and former NPD cadre, led the first round with 29 percent of the vote, advancing to a runoff election scheduled for June 7. Analysts attribute these results to voter protest and instability in Zehdenick, which has seen three mayors resign or be removed in the past five years. The Brandenburg SPD acknowledged the defeat as a warning sign, urging democrats to adopt a clearer stance against extremism and improve local political presence to rebuild trust among disillusioned voters.
taz.de - taz.deAfD Candidate René Stadtkewitz Elected Mayor of Zehdenick in Historic Brandenburg Victory
René Stadtkewitz, a candidate for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, was elected mayor of Zehdenick in the Oberhavel district with 58.4 percent of the vote in the first round. This marks the first time a full-time AfD mayor has been directly elected in Brandenburg. Stadtkewitz attributed his unexpected landslide victory to voters' desire for reliability and direction following the permanent illness and subsequent removal of the previous independent mayor, Alexander Kretzschmar. While AfD state chairman René Springer hailed the result as a signal that the party is a established political force rather than just a protest movement, critics expressed concern over the normalization of right-wing extremism, given the AfD's classification by Brandenburg's Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Stadtkewitz, a former CDU member who joined the AfD in 2024, rejected these labels. His closest competitor, FDP candidate Stephan von Hundelshausen, secured 28.6 percent. Stadtkewitz expects to be inaugurated by the end of May 2026.
DIE ZEIT | Nachrichten, News, Hintergründe und DebattenRight-Wing Extremist Candidate Leads Mayoral Election in Aue-Bad Schlema
Stefan Hartung, a prominent figure in the right-wing extremist party Free Saxony, won the first round of the mayoral election in Aue-Bad Schlema, Saxony, securing 29 percent of the vote. The result has shocked political competitors and citizens, as the Free Saxons are classified by German authorities as a proven right-wing extremist group advocating for anti-democratic ideals and Saxony's withdrawal from Germany. Hartung, a founding member and deputy leader of the party with past ties to the NPD, finished ahead of CDU candidate Marcus Hoffmann (23.6 percent) and Free Voters candidate Danny Weber (22.5 percent). Since no candidate achieved an absolute majority, a second round of voting is scheduled for June 7, where a simple majority will decide the winner. To prevent Hartung's victory, opposing parties must strategically unite behind a single candidate. This event highlights the growing influence of extremist factions in local Saxon politics, contrasting with other recent municipal elections in the region where incumbent mayors in cities like Dippoldiswalde and Döbeln secured decisive first-round victories.
Aktuell - FAZ.NETAfD Candidate Wins Mayoral Election in Zehdenick, Brandenburg
In a historic political shift for the German state of Brandenburg, René Stadtkewitz of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been elected as the full-time mayor of Zehdenick. This marks the first time an AfD candidate has won a direct mayoral election in the region. Stadtkewitz secured a decisive victory in the rerun election, capturing 58.4 percent of the vote, significantly outperforming his closest rival, FDP candidate Stephan von Hundelshausen, who received 28.6 percent. The election followed the removal of the previous mayor, Alexander Kretzschmar, who was voted out and subsequently remained on sick leave shortly after his prior inauguration. Stadtkewitz, a former member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and founder of the party Die Freiheit, joined the AfD in 2024. The AfD is currently classified as a confirmed right-wing extremist organization by the Brandenburg State Office for the Protection of the Constitution. This outcome highlights the growing influence of the far-right party in local German politics, distinguishing Stadtkewitz from other AfD-affiliated officials who previously ran as independents.
DIE ZEIT | Nachrichten, News, Hintergründe und DebattenAfD Candidate Wins Mayoral Election in Zehdenick, Brandenburg
René Stadtkewitz, a candidate from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has won the mayoral election in Zehdenick, located in the Oberhavel district north of Berlin. Securing 58.4 percent of the vote, Stadtkewitz becomes the first directly elected, full-time AfD mayor in the state of Brandenburg. This marks a significant political shift, distinguishing his victory from previous instances where AfD members served as mayors only after joining the party post-election or running as independents. His primary rival, Stephan von Hundelshausen of the FDP, received 28.6 percent, while other candidates trailed significantly. The election was a re-run necessitated by the removal of the previous mayor, Alexander Kretzschmar, who had been on permanent sick leave since shortly after his inauguration last year. Stadtkewitz, a former CDU member and founder of the party Die Freiheit, joined the AfD in 2024. This outcome highlights the growing influence of the AfD in local German politics, particularly in eastern states, following a previous defeat by Kretzschmar in March of the prior year.
DIE ZEIT | Nachrichten, News, Hintergründe und Debatten