Key facts
- Manuela Schwesig, a Social Democratic Party (SPD) politician, is leading efforts to counter the far-right Alternative for Germany's (AfD) advance in Germany's northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
- Schwesig's campaign slogan is 'Frau gegen Blau' ('Woman against Blue'), referencing the AfD's party color.
- Schwesig has criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz for failing to implement a price cap on gasoline.
- The CDU's support in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has fallen to around 7% in recent polls.
- Schwesig previously served as Germany's family minister under former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Premier Manuela Schwesig is emerging as a significant figure in German politics, challenging the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of Sunday's regional elections. Schwesig, a popular politician from the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), has managed to narrow the AfD's lead in polls, a feat considered remarkable given the decline of mainstream parties across eastern Germany.
Her campaign strategy, which includes the slogan 'Frau gegen Blau' ('Woman against Blue'), positions her as a bulwark against the far right. Schwesig has also adopted a populist tone, frequently criticizing Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his federal coalition for failing to address the financial struggles of ordinary citizens, particularly concerning rising gasoline prices. This approach has effectively turned the election into a contest between her and the AfD, significantly weakening Merz's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Recent polling indicates a severe decline in support for the CDU in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with projections as low as 7%. Such a result would be a historic low for the party and could jeopardize its representation in the state parliament, potentially intensifying internal debates about replacing Merz. The AfD's general secretary, Franziska Hoppermann, suggested Schwesig's campaign, by focusing on undermining the CDU, inadvertently helps the AfD by weakening the political center.
Schwesig, a former family minister under Chancellor Angela Merkel, has a national profile and is influential within the SPD. Her popularity stems from her perceived empathy and relatability, a stark contrast to Merz, who has admitted to struggling to connect emotionally with voters. Schwesig often shares personal anecdotes about her family's struggles in East Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall and has championed measures like free pre-schools and discounted train passes for young people and seniors in her state. She has also voiced concerns about the fairness of federal coalition reforms, particularly regarding early retirement.