Germany's Three Regional Elections in September Will Reshape Fragmented Political Landscape
Three major state elections scheduled for September 6 and 20 will test the federal government's stability and reshape Germany's already fragmented political landscape amid rising far-right support.
Three eastern federal states—Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern—will go to the polls this September. On September 6, Saxony-Anhalt will hold a state election, then on September 20, state elections will be held in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Over the past years, German politics have become increasingly fragmented and polarised, while the pressure for fundamental reform of the country has mounted. The September 2026 elections are very likely to bring this trend into unprecedented focus, but they are only the tip of the iceberg.
What's at Stake
All three states face similar political dynamics: the far-right AfD is polling strongly in the east, while traditional governing coalitions struggle to command majorities. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin on 20 September 2026, the AfD is again likely to score highly, but building coalitions to form the next governments is likely to be easier than in Saxony-Anhalt.
In Berlin, CDU incumbent Kai Wegner has governed with the SPD since 2023 in a coalition that is functional but not inspiring. His recent handling of the power outage and winter weather chaos has not helped. Berlin is an unusual battlefield where the Left, Greens, SPD and AfD all compete in relatively close proximity, and the result could produce a governing coalition that looks nothing like what anyone in Berlin's federal government would prefer.
For expats, students, and families living in these regions, these elections will influence housing policy, education provision, public safety, and integration programmes for newcomers. The outcomes may also affect national-level policy direction, including labour market rules and tax policies that affect all residents. If you are planning to move to Berlin, Leipzig, or coastal regions in the east, monitor these elections closely as they will shape local governance for the next four years.
Sources
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