So many people watched the 'Election Arena' on SWR - Baden-Württemberg's fiery debate reveals a deadlocked race before Sunday's election
A heated television debate took place on Tuesday night, just days before Baden-Württemberg's state election. Six leading candidates from the Greens, CDU, AfD, SPD, FDP, and the Left Party clashed in a live discussion broadcast on SWR.
The debate drew significant attention, with 459,000 viewers tuning in across Baden-Württemberg. Nationwide, the programme reached 300,000, while 258,000 watched in southwestern Germany alone. This accounted for 9.6 percent of the regional TV audience, or roughly 2.3 percent of the state's population.
Polls suggest a tight race for the premiership. Green candidate Cem Özdemir and CDU leader Manuel Hagel are neck-and-neck, according to the latest figures from February 26. The CDU currently holds 27-28 percent support, while the Greens follow closely with 25-27 percent. The gap has shrunk dramatically—from 16 points in October 2024 to just 6 points in late January.
Voters will decide on March 8, with the election now only days away.
The debate highlighted the close contest between the two leading parties. With viewership peaking at nearly half a million in the region, public interest remains high. The final result will determine whether the CDU or Greens secure the premiership in a race that has tightened significantly in recent months.
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