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The Week in Germany: Current Affairs

February 29, 2008

CDU Maintains Top Position in Hamburg Elections

Competitors: Taking down signs after the election © dpa

In Hamburg elections on Sunday February 24, Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) lost its absolute majority. The center-right party retained a plurality in the northern German city-state, however, which makes it likely to remain in power.

Preliminary official results gave the CDU 42.6 percent of the vote, down from 47.2 percent in 2004. Over the last four years, the party has governed without a coalition partner.

The Social Democrats (SPD) saw their support rise to 34.1 percent, up from 30.5 percent four years ago, their worst result in the city-state since World War II.

The Greens secured 9.6 percent and the new Left Party 6.4 percent. The liberal FDP once again failed to clear the 5-percent hurdle needed to enter the state parliament. Turnout came in at 62.2 percent, down from almost 68.7 per cent in 2004. (dpa)

Links:

Election Roundup: Voters Redraw Political Landscape in State Parliament Elections (TWIG, February 1, 2008)

AICGS Coverage of the February 24 Hamburg Election

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