Dokumentation Und Analysen: Die mecklenburg-vorpommersche Landtagswahl vom 4. September 2011: Bestatigung der Grossen Koalition mit sozialdemokratischem Zugewinn
In: Zeitschrift für Parlamentsfragen: ZParl, Band 43, Heft 1, S. 3-17
ISSN: 0340-1758
The turnout of 51.5 percent in the 2011 federal state election is the lowest turnout in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania since 1990. A main reason might be that the campaigning for parties in a grand coalition is less confrontational and less polarizing. The SPD and the Greens reached significant gains in the election result. This is especially true for the Greens who for the first time are represented in the Schwerin parliament. Prime Minister Erwin Sellering and his party consolidated their position within the party competition of the federal state. Backed by positive frame conditions the social democrats proceeded into the role of a "Landespartei". This fact worked against the CDU, which has to cope with the worst election result since 1990. The structure of the new government symbolizes the change in the balance of power between the partners of the grand coalition. The party Die Linke stagnates at 20 percent of the votes and remains in third place. The FDP loses three fourths of their voters and cannot re-enter the parliament. The extremist NPD losses votes but can consolidate its electoral basis, especially in Western Pomerania. Adapted from the source document.