After the SPD’s disastrous performance in the Rhineland-Palatinate state election, Premier Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) reaffirmed that he does not intend to join a cabinet led by CDU election winner Gordon Schnieder.
Speaking on Sunday evening on ARD, Schweitzer said: “I have already made it clear that I do not belong in a cabinet after the election, just as I never did before”. He added that he would continue to carry out his duties as premier until the end of the term, “engaged and committed until the last day, just as I have done thus far”. He will remain in office daily until a new government is sworn in by the state parliament.
The social democrats recorded their worst result ever in the state’s history. According to the latest ARD and ZDF projections, the SPD is expected to secure an average of 25.8 percent. The strongest force will be the CDU, averaging 30.7 percent. Based on parties’ pre‑election statements, all indications point to a grand coalition headed by Schnieder, especially now that votes from 4,400 of 4,694 constituencies have been counted.
In third place, with a slight margin, stands the AfD, which managed to more than double its previous share, averaging about 20 percent. The Greens, still part of the “traffic‑light” coalition, finish fourth with 7.9 percent. The FDP (2.1 percent) and the Free Voters (4.2 percent) fall below the five‑percent threshold and will not enter the parliament. The Left also fails to clear the 5 percent mark, ending up with 4.4 percent.