They put support for Merkel's Christian Democrats at between 19% and 20%, which would be their worst result yet in the state. The center-left Social Democrats, who lead the outgoing state government, were expected to be the strongest party with about 30% support. National AfD leader Frauke Petry celebrated "a blow to Angela Merkel." Erwin Sellering has governed with Merkel's party as his junior partner. Both parties lost support compared with the last state election five years ago, when they polled 35.6% and 23%, respectively.

Source: Los Angeles Times September 04, 2016 18:40 UTC