There was a sense of despondency at the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) as the exit polls revealed a disappointing result for the center-left party. The anticipated uphill battle for SPD leader and Chancellor Olaf Scholz seemed to have culminated in a significant setback.
The atmosphere was tense as the screens displayed the results, with the SPD experiencing a nearly 9% drop from the previous election in 2021. This outcome is projected to be the party's worst showing in an election since 1887.
As the numbers were announced, the room fell into near silence, punctuated only by gasps at the results of other parties such as the Left and BSW. The confirmation of the AfD's nationwide success further underscored the challenges faced by the SPD.
Prior to the release of the polls, voters expressed a sense of pessimism, with many feeling that the AfD had shifted the election narrative towards migration issues. There were hopes that the SPD would enter into a coalition with the CDU and Friedrich Merz, while maintaining a presence in the political center.
When asked about Olaf Scholz and his future, respondents were reticent, with one woman simply shaking her head in response. The prevailing sentiment among voters and party members reflected a somber acknowledgment of the election results and the challenges ahead for the SPD.
