Dietmar Woidke Receives 43 Votes in First Round, Elected Ministerpräsident with 50 Votes in Second Round

Dec 11, 2024, 09:52 AM

Dietmar Woidke, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Brandenburg, faced a challenging start in the election for Ministerpräsident, failing to secure the necessary majority in the first voting round. Woidke received 43 votes out of 85 cast, falling short of the required 45 votes, with 40 votes against him, two abstentions, and two invalid ballots. This outcome marked a significant moment for the newly formed coalition between the SPD and the BSW, as not all members supported Woidke. However, in a surprising turn of events, Woidke was elected in the second voting round, where he garnered 50 votes in favor, 36 against, and one abstention. This victory solidifies his position as Ministerpräsident and highlights the complexities within the coalition dynamics in Brandenburg's political landscape.