Hamburg's SPD and Greens Begin Coalition Talks After State Election

The SPD, led by Peter Tschentscher, prioritizes continuing its decade-long partnership with the Greens but will also explore options with the CDU.

The SPD emerged as the strongest party in Hamburg's state election, securing 33.5% of the vote, ahead of the CDU (19.8%) and the Greens (18.5%).
Initial coalition discussions between the SPD and Greens began Friday at the Kurt-Schumacher-Haus, with both parties exploring the possibility of continuing their existing partnership.
SPD leader and current Mayor Peter Tschentscher has expressed a preference for maintaining the SPD-Green coalition but plans to hold talks with the CDU next week as an alternative option.
Tensions between the SPD and Greens include disagreements over major infrastructure projects and a potential redistribution of ministerial portfolios, with the SPD eyeing the transport ministry currently held by the Greens.
The CDU's significant gains in this election, overtaking the Greens as the second-largest party, have made them a potential but less favored coalition partner for the SPD.