By

our dpa-correspondent and Europe Online
  
    

Berlin (dpa) – The ruling parties in the German state of Bavaria
agreed on Friday to hold a state legislative election on September
15, a week before the whole of Germany is expected to go to the
polls.

Both elections must be held this autumn, but the state and federal
governments have leeway about setting the precise dates.

The Bavarian race, in which the incumbent centre-right government
of the Christian Social Union (CSU) and Free Democrats is seen as
having a solid chance of being re-elected, will inevitably be seen as
a bellwether for the federal poll pencilled in for September 22.

Another German state, Hesse, is expected to hold a state
legislative poll the same day as the general election.

In the national race, opposition Social Democrats and Greens will
be trying to deny Angela Merkel a third term as chancellor.

Bavaria‘s chief Social Democrat, Florian Pronold, assailed the
choice of date, accusing the CSU of seeking a political advantage.
The Social Democrats have suggested all three polls take place on the
same day.
dpa jbp cho sdl
Author: Jean-Baptiste Piggin, Carsten Hoefer

 

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Opposition parties made gains Sunday in a neck-and-neck state election in Germany that robbed Chancellor Angela Merkel of the convincing victory she had hoped for in the run-up to this year’s national election.
Berlin (dpa) – Hours after polling

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