Overview

• WDR/Infratest dimap projections show the CDU near 34% ahead of the SPD around 22–23%, with the AfD in third at roughly 16–16.5%.
• Despite strong gains, the AfD’s presence is uneven statewide because it did not field candidates in many municipalities.
• Turnout rose to about 58.5%, up from 51.9% in 2020, according to Infratest dimap.
• Election day brought localized problems, including wrong ballots in Essen, delayed openings and a tampered lock in Dortmund, a break‑in at a Duisburg brief‑vote site, and a voter death in Krefeld.
• Many mayoral contests are likely headed to 28 September runoffs, with official final results and full council seat allocations still pending.