Manuela Schwesig urged voters to block a second near-term victory for the far-right AfD ahead of the Sept 20 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern vote. Polls show the AfD at about 37% and the SPD at roughly 34%, making the contest close. Schwesig, premier since 2017, reaffirmed she will not cooperate with the AfD and highlighted free pre-school childcare and above-average economic growth under her leadership.
Schwesig Urges Voters to Block Second AfD Win Ahead of Sept 20 Vote
Manuela Schwesig, state premier of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and top candidate for the Social Democrats (SPD) in upcoming state elections, unveils a new campaign poster with the slogan "The Woman Against Blue," referring to the party colours of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. (is associated with: «German state leader vows to thwart second AfD victory within two weeks») Jens Büttner/dpa
Rostock, Germany — Incumbent state premier Manuela Schwesig on Monday urged voters to prevent the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) from securing a second state victory within two weeks.
Tight Race Ahead
Two weeks after the AfD's landslide in Saxony-Anhalt, recent polls place the party at roughly 37% in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with Schwesig's Social Democrats (SPD) close behind at about 34%. The ballot is scheduled for Sept 20.
Why The Outcome Matters
Speaking to foreign journalists in the port city of Rostock, Schwesig — who has led Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since 2017 — said that 'it does matter whether a second state falls to the AfD or not,' stressing the influence Germany's 16 federal states have on national politics.
'It does matter whether a second state falls to the AfD or not.' — Manuela Schwesig
Schwesig reiterated she will not cooperate with the AfD, aligning with the so-called 'firewall' policy maintained by Germany's mainstream parties to keep the far right out of power.
Although the SPD is facing declining support nationwide, Schwesig retains strong local approval and is widely considered to have a realistic chance of beating the AfD on Sept 20. Under her administration, pre-school childcare has been made free in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and official figures show the state has recorded stronger economic growth over the past five years than the national average despite its sparse population and limited heavy industry.
Quick facts: Vote: Sept 20 | Polls: AfD ~37%, SPD ~34 | Schwesig premier since 2017 | No cooperation with AfD
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