German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) have emerged victorious in the state election in Brandenburg, fending off the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a closely watched contest. The SPD, which has governed the state since reunification in 1990, secured 31.8% of the vote, surpassing the AfD's 29.2% according to exit polls.
The success for the SPD in Brandenburg is seen as a significant comeback, providing Chancellor Scholz with a boost amid discussions about his candidacy for the upcoming federal election. However, the victory may not translate into a major nationwide surge for the party, as the popular incumbent SPD premier Dietmar Woidke distanced himself from Scholz during the campaign.
