Brandenburg Prepares for Upcoming Bundestag Elections: Over Two Million Eligible Voters

Brandenburg is gearing up for another election, just months after the state elections, with the upcoming Bundestag elections set to take place on Sunday. This election is particularly notable due to changes in the Bundestag's composition, as the number of seats is set to decrease.

According to the state election authority, around 2.03 million residents of Brandenburg are eligible to cast their votes. This figure is slightly lower than Berlin's 2.43 million voters. Notably, approximately 54,000 young voters will be participating in a federal election for the first time.

A total of 12 political parties are fielding candidates in Brandenburg, with prominent figures including Olaf Scholz (SPD), René Springer (AfD), Uwe Feiler (CDU), Linda Teuteberg (FDP), Annalena Baerbock (Greens), Christian Görke (Left Party), and others representing various parties. Voters will have two votes: one for a direct candidate in their constituency and another for the party list, which is crucial for determining the overall seat distribution in the Bundestag.

Brandenburg is expecting 132 candidates to compete, marking a reduction of 100 candidates compared to the previous election cycle. Out of these, 85 individuals will run as direct candidates, while 107 will be on the party lists. Notably, 60 candidates are contesting in both categories. Additionally, around 28,600 volunteers will assist in the electoral process.

For those opting for mail-in voting, the timeframe has been shortened, with only two weeks available to cast their votes via post, as opposed to the usual six weeks. The state election authority has advised voters to submit their ballots in person or to post them as soon as possible.

Several electoral districts are expected to be closely contested. In the last federal elections, the SPD secured all ten direct mandates in Brandenburg. However, this time, there is speculation that the AfD could win multiple constituencies, as the party has been classified as a right-wing extremist group by the state's constitutional protection agency.

In the Uckermark - Barnim I district, SPD spokesperson Stefan Zierke will face off against AfD candidate Hannes Gnauck, while CDU's Ulrike Mauersberger and Michael Kellner from the Greens will also compete. In the Brandenburg an der Havel - Potsdam-Mittelmark I - Havelland III - Teltow-Fläming I district, notable candidates include SPD incumbent Sonja Eichwede and former CDU leader Saskia Ludwig.

The Bundestag election has been further complicated by recent electoral reforms, which limit the number of mandates to 630, over 100 fewer than in previous elections. The reforms also mean that winning a direct constituency seat does not guarantee entry into the Bundestag unless the party receives sufficient second votes.

As the election day approaches, preliminary results are expected around 6 PM, with a more detailed breakdown for Brandenburg anticipated by midnight. The final determination of which candidates will take their seats in the Bundestag will not be confirmed until Monday.

Recent polling data indicates that the AfD currently holds a lead in Brandenburg, with approximately 28% support, followed by the SPD at 20% and the CDU at 19%. The election outcome will be critical, given the shifting political landscape and the implications for future governance.