Berlin, Germany – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) cast his ballot, accompanied by his wife Britta Ernst, in Potsdam, a heavily covered event by the media. This parallel duel in the electoral district 61, Potsdam-Mittelmark II – Teltow-Fläming II, is reminiscent of the 2021 election, as Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is also vying for the direct mandate in the Bundestag, alongside Scholz. In the previous election, Scholz secured the mandate with 34.0 percent, while Baerbock received 18.8 percent. This time, the outcome is expected to be closer, with CDU candidate Tabea Gutschmidt also being considered a contender.
Around the same time, in Arnsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, the clear frontrunner for the CDU’s chancellor candidacy, Friedrich Merz, also cast his ballot. He is running as a candidate for the Hochsauerlandkreis and is likely to win the electoral district, with SPD Fraktionsvize Dirk Wiese being his strongest opponent in the area.