CDU dominates Bergisches Land as SPD and Scholz suffer major election losses
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has emerged as the dominant party in the Bergisches Land region following the European elections on 9 June 2024. The result marks a significant shift, with the party gaining 5.8 percentage points compared to the last federal vote. Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Chancellor Olaf Scholz faced a clear setback in the same election.
The CDU’s candidate, Miriam Viehmann, campaigned across all towns and municipalities in the region but did not secure a personal victory. Her opponent, SPD candidate Marcel Kreutz, challenged incumbent CDU politician Jürgen Hardt for the seat.
The election results revealed a stark contrast in fortunes for Germany’s major parties. While the CDU strengthened its position, the traffic light coalition—comprising the SPD, Greens, and FDP—suffered heavy losses, dropping over 20 percentage points compared to the 2021 federal election. The outcome underscored growing dissatisfaction with the current federal government.
Jürgen Hardt, the CDU’s leading figure in the region, called for a decisive change in Berlin’s policies. He argued that the strong CDU performance reflected voter approval of Friedrich Merz’s renewal strategy. The party secured its position as the top force in all three major cities of the Bergisches Land.
Marcel Kreutz, the SPD’s candidate, had campaigned on the need for a problem-solving federal government to counter the rise of extremist factions. However, the SPD’s overall defeat, alongside the chancellor’s poor showing, highlighted the party’s struggles in the region.
Miriam Viehmann’s active campaign across the Bergisches Land did not translate into a personal win. Despite her efforts, the broader CDU success overshadowed individual candidate results, reinforcing the party’s regional dominance.
The CDU’s victory in the Bergisches Land region confirms its growing influence under Friedrich Merz’s leadership. The traffic light coalition’s sharp decline signals deeper voter discontent with national policies. With the CDU now firmly ahead, the pressure for a policy shift in Berlin is likely to intensify.
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