Berlin recount shifts seat to AfD as Die Linke leads state election polls

A vote recount in Berlin's Spandau district following a transmission error has shifted a direct parliamentary seat from Christian Democratic Union candidate Bettina Meißner to Alternative for Germany's Tommy Tabor. The correction eliminated overhang mandates, reducing the size of the Abgeordnetenhaus by five seats.

The administrative adjustment comes amid shifting political dynamics ahead of the state election. A recent poll places Die Linke in the lead at 22 percent, driven largely by strong support among younger voters, while the CDU and AfD follow tied at 18 percent. Meanwhile, voter engagement remains a central topic in districts such as Neukölln, where turnout among residents with a migration background is historically lower. However, reports indicate growing interest in the AfD among some young voters of Turkish origin focused on public safety and economic stability.

Sources: Correctiv, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau, Die Zeit