In the state elections in Lower Saxony, Prime Minister Stephan Weil's SPD once again became the strongest party. According to the 6 p.m. forecasts from ARD and ZDF, the Social Democrats are ahead of the CDU with top candidate Bernd Althusmann, despite losses.

According to the forecasts, the SPD will get 32.5 to 33.5 percent of the votes (2017: 36.9). At 27.5 percent, the CDU posted its worst state result in more than 60 years (2017: 33.6). The Greens, on the other hand, almost doubled their votes and ended up in third place with 14 to 14.5 percent (2017: 8.7). The AfD is also gaining ground, reaching 11.5 to 12 percent (2017: 6.2).

With 5 percent, the FDP must fear failing at the five percent hurdle (2017: 7.5). According to the forecasts, the left failed to enter the state parliament again.