Every five years, North Rhine-Westphalia hosts local elections, in which approximately 13.7 million eligible voters participate to elect city and municipal councils, county councils, mayors, and district administrators across the 427 municipalities in the region.
Understanding the Number of Candidates:
Voters are presented with a diverse array of choices, including around 20,000 candidates affiliated with the five main political parties, as well as various regional or municipal groupings and independent candidates.
The Main Political Parties Involved:
While not participating in every municipality, the major parties vying for positions include Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), the center-left Social Democrats (their junior coalition partners), the socialist-oriented Left Party, the environmentalist Green Party, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), and the far-right populist Alternative for Germany (AfD).
High-Stakes Races to Watch:
Among the significant electoral contests are the races for mayor in Düsseldorf, the state capital, and in Cologne, the most populated city in North Rhine-Westphalia, with the outcomes of these elections to be determined by the vote.
The Broader Significance:
These local elections serve as a critical indicator of the prevailing political mood in Germany, with particular emphasis on the performance of the anti-immigrant AfD, underscoring their influence and support within the electorate.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-merz-s-cdu-set-to-win-in-nrw-afd-makes-big-gains/live-73986739?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
