Hesse's election upheaval: CDU dominates as SPD and Greens face shifting fortunes
Hesse's latest local elections have reshaped the political landscape across the state. The Christian Democrats (CDU) secured victories in most districts and major cities, while the Social Democrats (SPD) held strong in key areas like Offenbach. Meanwhile, smaller parties, including the far-left German Communist Party (DKP), made surprising gains in pockets of the region.
The results also highlighted shifts for the Greens and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), with both parties showing mixed performances compared to previous years.
The CDU emerged as the dominant force in Hesse, topping the polls in six of the state's ten largest cities. These included Frankfurt am Main, Wiesbaden, Gießen, Marburg, Fulda, and Rüsselsheim. Their success extended across many rural districts, reinforcing their position as the leading party in much of the region.
The SPD performed strongly in Offenbach, where it secured 35% of the vote, and also led in Hanau. However, the party struggled in Fulda, managing just 9.2%. Their victory in Überau, a small village in southern Hesse, was particularly narrow—beating the DKP by just 2.5%, with 38.1% compared to the communists' 35.6%.
The Greens retained their lead in Kassel and Darmstadt but saw a decline in overall support compared to 2021. Their statewide performance left their position ahead of the AfD uncertain. Meanwhile, the AfD made gains since the last election but remained weak in urban areas, scoring just 3.4% in Offenbach and under 10% in several other major cities.
The Left Party achieved double-digit results in five of Hesse's ten largest cities, showing growth in urban centres. Yet, like the Greens, they faced difficulties in rural regions. The DKP, though historically strong in Überau, secured only scattered seats elsewhere, including Reinheim, Mörfelden-Walldorf, Marburg, and Gießen.
In Frankfurt, former mayor Peter Feldmann's political comeback failed. His Frankfurt-Social! alliance received just 0.4% of the vote. Meanwhile, in Überau, 88-year-old Walter Eckert of the DKP continues to serve as district mayor, a position he has held since 2015. The village, once a communist stronghold during the Weimar Republic, has evolved into a multi-party system since reunification, with the SPD and Greens now playing major roles alongside the DKP.
The election results confirm the CDU's continued strength in Hesse, particularly in larger cities and rural districts. The SPD maintained influence in key areas, while the Greens and AfD saw uneven performances across the state.
Smaller parties, including the DKP, secured limited but notable wins, reflecting local political traditions. The outcomes set the stage for shifting alliances and strategies as parties prepare for future challenges.
