German State Election: Left Party Candidate Backs Rival to Block Far-Right

In a surprising move ahead of the state elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Daniel Trepsdorf, a politician from the Left Party, has withdrawn his direct candidacy in Schwerin. He announced on Tuesday that he will instead support Minister-President Manuela Schwesig of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

Trepsdorf stated his decision is driven by a desire to prevent the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) candidate, Leif-Erik Holm, from winning the constituency. He believes democratic forces must unite and endorse the most experienced and promising candidate. Trepsdorf urged voters in constituency 8 to cast their first vote for Schwesig while maintaining their second vote for the Left Party to ensure the continuation of the current coalition's policies.

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democratic forces must stand together and issue an election recommendation for the most experienced and promising candidate.

The upcoming state elections on September 20 are expected to be closely contested. Current polling indicates the SPD and Left Party coalition would secure 40 percent of the vote, while the AfD is polling at 36 percent. The race in constituency 8 is particularly tight, pitting Schwesig against Holm, who aims to unseat her as the state's leader.

Trepsdorf, a member of the state parliament since 2025, also cited the absence of a strong conservative candidate from the CDU who could draw votes away from the AfD. The CDU's candidate in this constituency is Jascha Dopp, following the CDU politician Sebastian Ehlers' successful bid for mayor of Schwerin in April.

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First vote for Schwesig, second vote for the Left Party. So that the state can continue the policies of the MV coalition.