The AfD celebrated a significant victory as its candidate, Volker Scheurell, claimed the seat for election district 70, covering the area of Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg, during Germany's Bundestagswahl on February 23, 2025. The preliminary results released late Sunday revealed Scheurell garnered 38.6% of the first votes, outperforming the competition by a notable margin.
Following closely behind was the incumbent CDU candidate Sepp Müller with 29.5%, and the SPD's Diana Bäse, who received 10.5% of the votes. Other parties, including the Linke and the Greens, managed only limited support, reflecting the shifting political leanings within this region. The election's overall voter turnout was reported at 77.4%, indicating heightened engagement compared to previous elections.
Scheurell, who is not only a local businessperson but also deeply rooted in the community through his involvement with voluntary services, emerged victorious from this competitive race. He articulated clear priorities during his campaign, emphasizing the need for improvements to the education system, infrastructure development, and stricter immigration policies. His grassroots efforts earned him the confidence of voters within the district traditionally leaning more conservatively.
"I want to thank my voters for accepting me as their representative," Scheurell stated, expressing gratitude and recognition for the diverse challenges of the campaign. He reflected on the expansive nature of district 70 and the necessity of connecting with constituents across various communities. "I can only explain my success through the strong local presence I maintained, especially during my campaigns and appearances. Particularly, I felt considerable support from Bitterfeld," he noted.
Sepp Müller, who previously claimed victory in the last federal election, conceded and noted, "So wie es jetzt aussieht, wird dieser Wahlkreis blau," indicating the shift toward the AfD's dominance. Despite his loss, Müller expressed his commitment to continuing his work within the Bundestag as he was elected through the party’s list, ensuring he retains his political voice at the national level.
Other notable candidates also faced challenges—Diana Bäse from the SPD and Doreen Hainich from the Linke both struggled to reach double-digit percentages. Meanwhile, the sitting Federal Environment Minister, Steffi Lemke from the Greens, encountered what many perceived as dire results, receiving only 4.8% of the votes, highlighting the difficulties established parties face against the rising populist support for the AfD.
It is important to note the significance of this election day amid changes brought on by election law reforms, which instituted new regulations whereby not all victorious constituency candidates automatically secure seats based on first votes alone. This system allocates seats more evenly through party proportional representation, challenging traditional electoral dynamics and requiring broader party support moving forward.
The voters of district 70 sent clear signals about their political preferences, which seem to reflect broader trends toward the AfD’s platform across Germany. Observers speculate this might foreshadow more significant changes at the federal level as political insiders analyze the shifts.
Volker Scheurell's victory encapsulates the rising power of the AfD within the political spectrum of Germany, demonstrating the party's successful messaging and outreach strategies. His win suggests considerable changes on the horizon, both locally and nationally, as the AfD pushes forward its agenda within the Bundestag.
With the parliament now set to reflect these changes, the political narrative will likely redefine itself as advocacy and legislation advance from this pivotal electoral shift. The future of District 70 under Scheurell will be closely watched, potentially influencing strategies from all parties aiming to connect with the electorate's growing concerns.