TV duel between Schweitzer and Schnieder ahead of Rhineland-Palatinate state election - Rhineland-Palatinate's election tightens as CDU and SPD battle for the lead
The race for Rhineland-Palatinate's state election is tightening as the latest poll puts the CDU and SPD almost neck and neck. With just twelve days until voters head to the polls on March 22, the two leading parties are set to clash in a televised debate this Tuesday at 8:15 PM. The survey also reveals a sharp rise for the AfD, now polling at 19%.
A late February poll showed the CDU at 28%, narrowly ahead of the SPD on 27%. This marks a shift since the 2021 election, when the SPD won 35.7% of the vote, while the CDU secured 27.7%. The Greens remain steady at 9%, but the AfD has surged from 8.3% in 2021 to 19% in the latest figures.
The Free Voters, FDP, and Left Party each hover around 5%, with all other parties combined accounting for just 7%. The upcoming debate, titled Rhineland-Palatinate Votes – The Duel, will feature SPD leader Alexander Schweitzer and CDU candidate Gordon Schnieder. Broadcast live from Mainz on SWR, the event comes at a critical moment in the campaign.
Since 2021, the CDU has gradually climbed in polls, while the SPD has seen a decline. The AfD's rise is the most dramatic change, nearly doubling its support. The Greens, meanwhile, have held firm, maintaining their 2021 share of around 9-10%.
The televised debate will give both major parties a final chance to sway undecided voters before the March 22 election. Current polling suggests a close contest between the CDU and SPD, with the AfD gaining significant ground. The outcome will determine whether the SPD can hold onto power or if the CDU will take the lead in the state's next government.
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