CDU leads Lower Saxony local elections with 27.7%

September 14, 2026 at 03:11 AM2 min

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The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) won the most votes in Lower Saxony's local elections on Sunday, September 13, with 27.7 percent, according to preliminary results from Infratest dimap. The Social Democrats (SPD) came second with 24.5 percent, followed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) at 16.5 percent. Turnout by 4:30 p.m. was 50.67 percent, about 6.7 percentage points higher than in the 2021 state elections.

Key Facts

CDU received 27.7% of the vote in Lower Saxony's local elections on September 13, according to preliminary results from Infratest dimap.
SPD came second with 24.5%, followed by AfD with 16.5%.
Turnout by 4:30 p.m. was 50.67%, about 6.7 percentage points higher than in the 2021 state elections.
Official preliminary results are expected on the morning of September 14.
Four AfD candidates were barred from the election due to doubts about their commitment to the constitutional order.

Election Results

The CDU, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, secured 27.7% of the vote in Lower Saxony's local elections on September 13, according to preliminary results from Infratest dimap. The SPD received 24.5%, while the AfD took 16.5%. The Greens and the Left Party followed with 13.6% and 5.9% respectively. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) gained only 3.6% of the vote.

Turnout and Voting Context

By 4:30 p.m., turnout stood at 50.67%, according to the electoral commission. This was about 6.7 percentage points higher than at the same point in the 2021 state elections. Voters in Lower Saxony elected local council representatives, mayors, and district administrators. The election took place amid a crisis at Volkswagen, a major employer in the region.

AfD Candidate Exclusions

Four AfD candidates were denied admission to the election due to doubts about their commitment to Germany's constitutional order. The AfD's state branch is under surveillance by the domestic intelligence agency as a right-wing extremist group. The party is challenging the decision in court.