Initial polling indicates a competitive environment for parties following Friedrich Merz’s ascension to the Chancellorship. In Baden-Württemberg, the CDU narrowly missed the top position, while in Rheinland-Pfalz, it has regained a leading role after 35 years. The upcoming elections on September 6 in Sachsen-Anhalt are particularly critical, as the AfD aims for its first governing role, bolstered by strong support in East Germany, where it secured 30.5% in the 2024 European elections and 37.1% in the 2025 Bundestag elections.