The German-Hungarian Institute for European Cooperation hosted an election night at MCC in March, bringing together more than 70 participants to follow and discuss the Baden-Württemberg state parliamentary elections. As Germany's third most populous and one of its economically strongest federal states heads to the polls, the election marked the opening of the country's 2026 "super election year," which includes five state elections and three local elections.
The event was moderated by Petra Szalontai, Project Coordinator at the German-Hungarian Institute for European Cooperation. Dr. Bence Bauer, Director of the Institute, was joined by Zoltán Kiszelly, Director of the Centre for Political Analysis at Századvég Foundation, and Dr. Ágoston Mráz, Director of Nézőpont Institute, to analyze the campaign, assess the parties' prospects, and provide live commentary as election results were announced.
Ahead of the release of the exit polls, the speakers discussed the significance of the vote, highlighting its potential impact on the remaining elections of the year. They reflected on the political legacy of outgoing Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann, examined the campaigns of the leading candidates, and reviewed the implications of Baden-Württemberg's new electoral law, which allowed 16-year-olds to vote for the first time. The discussion also addressed AfD's growing support and FDP's chances of returning to the state parliament.
As results began to emerge, the experts noted that the outcome largely reflected pre-election polling. They evaluated the possible coalition scenarios and considered the election's broader implications for German federal politics, including its potential impact on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the federal government. While describing the Baden-Württemberg vote as an important indicator for the elections ahead, they also pointed to the eastern state elections later this year as likely to have the greatest political significance.
The evening concluded with a question and answer session, during which participants engaged the panel on topics including the accuracy of German exit polls and the wider political consequences of the election results.
