Robert Habeck, the Spitzenkandidat for the Greens and current Vice Chancellor, faced an unexpected defeat on Sunday as he lost the direct mandate for the Flensburg-Schleswig constituency during the Bundestag elections. According to preliminary results, CDU candidate Petra Nicolaisen captured 26.5% of the first votes, surpassing Habeck's 22.6%. Despite his loss, Habeck is expected to return to the Bundestag through the state party list due to his second position on it.
This election was predicted to be competitive, particularly with several notable candidates vying for votes, including Stefan Seidler from the SSW and Gösta Beutin from the Left Party. Nicolaisen, who has been a member of the Bundestag since 2017, managed to defend her position against Habeck, who had previously secured the first direct mandate for the Greens during the 2021 elections. Back then, he won with more than 28% of the first votes, clearly outpacing Nicolaisen, who finished second.
The dynamics of the elections were particularly affected by the recent changes to electoral law, which now determine how direct mandate victories translate to actual parliamentary seats. Despite winning her district, Nicolaisen expressed frustration over her potential exclusion from the Bundestag due to these reforms. She shared her disappointment, saying, "Ich bin enttäuscht. Ich finde es ungerecht, dass ich als Wahlkreis-Gewinnerin nicht wieder nach Berlin komme," which translates to “I am disappointed. I find it unfair as the winner of the constituency I am not returning to Berlin."
Within the electoral district of Flensburg-Schleswig, almost all votes have been counted by now. The election evening included dramatic turns of events and unexpected outcomes throughout the country. Habeck acknowledged Nicolaisen’s victory by stating, "Auch wenn es diesmal nicht zum erneuten Direktmandat gereicht hat, danke ich allen Wählerinnen und Wählern herzlich für das Vertrauen", or “Even though it didn’t work out for the direct mandate this time, I sincerely thank all voters for their trust.”
Voter engagement was high, with several key takeaways from the election. The CDU appeared to secure more mandates than initially expected, winning seats across nine of the eleven constituencies up for election. This trend is particularly significant for Nicolaisen, who, according to preliminary calculations, may not have enough seats allotted to her party as the CDU gains more first votes than their respective second vote quotas could permit.
The election reflects broader national shifts, showing the emergence of the AfD and the Left Party as significant players. Particularly, the Left made notable gains within Flensburg, marking their presence strongly compared to previous years. Meanwhile, the AfD secured substantial support, especially within rural regions but also made strides within urban centers, reflecting changing sentiments among constituents.
Overall, the Flensburg-Schleswig election results paint a complex picture of German electoral politics, where longstanding norms, preferences, and party dynamics continue to transform. The outcome is likely to resonate within party strategies moving forward, especially concerning coalition-building and future elections. Nicolaisen’s situation encapsulates the frustration many candidates may feel as new electoral rules come to play, potentially altering the political map of Germany.
Author: News Agency Reporting