Turnout higher in closely fought Berlin election
The first official figures point to more voters than at the previous state election, while the result remains wide open.
Turnout in Sunday’s election for the Berlin state parliament was higher in the afternoon than in 2023. At the same time, the latest polls left it unclear which party would emerge as the largest and which coalition might be possible afterwards.
By 12 noon, 448,072 eligible voters had cast their ballots at a polling station in Berlin. According to the Berlin electoral authority, turnout, taking issued voting cards into account, stood at 27.9 per cent. At the same time in the previous election in 2023, it was 23.4 per cent, a difference of 4.5 percentage points.
The figures are not yet final. Berliners could vote until 6 pm, and a large proportion of voters had already voted by post. The electoral authority expected the first results at around 7.30 pm, once approximately 10 per cent of the votes had been counted. The provisional final result was not expected to be established until the night from Sunday into Monday.
The main tension is at the top. In the latest poll cited by ARD, Die Linke stood at 21 per cent, followed by the CDU on 20 per cent and the AfD on 18 per cent. The Greens stood at 16 per cent and the SPD at 12 per cent. Such polls show the balance of forces shortly before voting, but are not the result.
Berlin is electing a new Abgeordnetenhaus and, at the same time, new Bezirksverordnetenversammlungen, the district councils of the city’s twelve boroughs. Housing and high rents were important campaign themes. Security also played a role, including after violence and tensions surrounding political gatherings in the city.
The election also has significance beyond Berlin. The AfD is seeking to gain ground in several German states, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under pressure following a heavy CDU defeat in Saxony-Anhalt. A strong AfD result in Berlin would chiefly sharpen the debate further over the CDU’s direction and how to deal with the party.
For the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds were also allowed to vote for the Berlin state parliament. They make up approximately 2 per cent of eligible voters. In total, almost 2.5 million people were entitled to vote for the Abgeordnetenhaus; the figure was higher for the district councils, as EU citizens are also allowed to take part there.
The higher afternoon turnout in itself does not yet indicate which parties will benefit. It may point to greater mobilisation, but without the result it is impossible to establish which groups have turned out in greater numbers. The next interim results will chiefly answer how close the race really is.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Turnout in Berlin was higher at 12 noon than at the previous election.
- The latest polls showed a very small gap between Die Linke, the CDU and the AfD.
- The AfD is part of the political contest, but the other parties rule out working with it.
- The election determines the composition of Berlin’s state parliament and district councils.
Left
Arguments A left-wing approach emphasises affordable housing, public services and protection against a shift to the right. The higher turnout is seen as an opportunity for voters who put social inequality and rents at the centre of their concerns.
Values Equality, social security, inclusiveness and protection of minorities.
Consequences A left-wing coalition would be more likely to focus on rent regulation and public investment, but could face financial and administrative constraints.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach focuses on governability, coalition compromises and practical solutions to housing and security. The result must first be clear before far-reaching conclusions can be drawn.
Values Stability, deliverability, the rule of law and administrative continuity.
Consequences A broad coalition could support policy across several issues, but decision-making could become slower because of differing party interests.
Right
Arguments A right-wing approach emphasises security, control over migration and more efficient government. The turnout can be read as greater engagement with the question of whether the established parties still have sufficient control over the city.
Values Order, responsibility, national cohesion and lower burdens.
Consequences More right-wing policies could give priority to security and enforcement more quickly, but could increase tensions with parties that rule out working with the AfD.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The key turnout figures come directly from the Berlin electoral authority. The polling and contextual information comes from Tagesschau and AP and is clearly presented as provisional information.
- confirmed By 12 noon, 448,072 people in Berlin had voted and turnout stood at 27.9 per cent. — Mentioned in the official announcement by the Berlin electoral authority. source
- confirmed Turnout at 12 noon was 4.5 percentage points higher than in 2023. — The official comparison gives 27.9 per cent against 23.4 per cent. source
- confirmed The latest cited poll put Die Linke on 21 per cent, the CDU on 20 per cent and the AfD on 18 per cent. — These figures appear in Tagesschau’s description of the latest poll. source
- confirmed 16- and 17-year-olds were allowed to vote for the first time in the Berlin state parliament election. — Confirmed by Berlin electoral information and Tagesschau. source
- confirmed The first results were expected at around 7.30 pm and the provisional final result at around 1.30 am. — Timetable from the Berlin electoral authority. source
- confirmed The election also has significance for Friedrich Merz’s and the CDU’s national position. — AP describes the two state elections as an important test for Merz; the wording about sharpening the political debate is journalistic interpretation. source
Editor's note
The higher turnout up to 12 noon has been officially confirmed. At 5.33 pm, no reliable results were yet available; the political consequences therefore remain uncertain.Sources
- Wahlbeteiligung am 20. September 2026 um 12.00 Uhr: 27,9 Prozent — Der Landeswahlleiter für Berlin
- Berlin-Wahl 2026: Knappes Rennen am Sonntag erwartet — Tagesschau
- FAQ: Was Sie zur Wahl in Berlin wissen müssen — Tagesschau
- Merz faces key test as 2 German states hold elections — Associated Press
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