Schleswig-Holstein State Parliament Election Date: 18 April 2027 – All the information about the election
By Rachel · 4 min read
Automatically translated from German. · Read original
The next state election in Schleswig-Holstein will take place on 18 April 2027, as provided for in the state constitution and in recent resolutions passed by the parties represented in the state parliament.
Key facts at a glance
- Election date: 18 April 2027 (Sunday)
- Incumbent Minister-President: Daniel Günther (CDU), leading the CDU’s list of candidates
- Coalition: The CDU and the Greens are currently governing together
- The SSW is standing as a minority party without having to meet the five per cent threshold
- Fairness agreement signed by the state parliament parties; the AfD and The Left are not involved
When is the exact date of the state election?
Election day is 18 April 2027, a Sunday. The state constitution stipulates that the state parliament is elected for a five-year term; previous elections have all taken place in May. The brought-forward April date results from the constitutional calculation of the term. According to information from NDR, the parties represented in the state parliament have agreed on this date.
Who are the parties’ lead candidates?
The field of leading candidates is largely complete. Minister-President Daniel Günther is standing again for the CDU, as he announced last year. The Greens are fielding State Minister for Social Affairs Aminata Touré. The SPD has nominated the former Lord Mayor of Kiel, Ulf Kämpfer. At a party conference in Flensburg, the South Schleswig Voters’ Association (SSW) elected its state parliamentary group leader, Christian Dirschauer, as its lead candidate with 95 per cent of the vote; the formal drawing up of the list will follow in December. The Left is backing Kiel district chair Johanna Klitzschmüller, whilst the FDP is backing state and parliamentary group leader Christopher Vogt. The AfD has not yet finalised its lead candidate.
What do the latest polls show?
The most recent election poll available dates from mid-July 2026. It shows the CDU clearly in the lead with 27 per cent. They are followed by the AfD with 18 per cent, the Greens with 17 per cent and the SPD with 15 per cent. Die Linke stands at 7 per cent, whilst the SSW and the FDP are both on 6 per cent. The BSW was not listed separately. These figures represent a snapshot in time; the situation may well change between now and election day.
| Party | Poll result (July 2026) | 2022 State Parliamentary Election |
|---|---|---|
| CDU | 27 % | 43.4% |
| AfD | 18% | 4.4% |
| Greens | 17% | 18.3% |
| SPD | 15% | 16.0% |
| The Left | 7% | 3.7% |
| SSW | 6% | 5.7% |
| FDP | 6% | 6.4% |
What does the state parliament parties’ Fairness Pact cover?
The parties represented in the state parliament – the CDU, the Greens, the SPD and the FDP – have, following lengthy negotiations, signed a joint Fairness Pact. It comprises ten points. Point one reaffirms commitment to the values of the Basic Law and the state constitution. Point three rules out cooperation with parties, associations or actors who oppose the free democratic basic order. The signatories accept harsh political criticism and pointed arguments as part of democratic competition, but reject attacks on campaign stands, events, posters or individuals. Personal disparagement – for example, regarding family, background, religion, private life, appearance or professional circumstances – is taboo. Likewise, the parties refrain from using fabricated quotations and AI-manipulated images, audio or video recordings that are likely to misrepresent actual statements or events. The AfD and Die Linke, which stand a chance of winning seats in the next state parliament, were not included in the negotiations and have not signed the agreement.
We respect human dignity and oppose all forms of anti-Semitism, racism, group-focused hostility and politically motivated violence.
— Fairness Agreement of the parties represented in the state parliament
What special provisions apply to the SSW?
The South Schleswig Voters’ Association represents the Danish and Frisian minorities in Schleswig-Holstein. As a minority party, it is exempt from the five per cent threshold that otherwise applies. In the 2022 state election, the SSW achieved 5.7 per cent and entered the state parliament with four members. The Association will also stand in 2027 with its own state list; the candidates will be nominated at an extraordinary state party conference in December 2026.
What is the current situation in the state parliament?
Since 2022, a coalition of the CDU and the Greens has been in power under Minister-President Daniel Günther. The CDU is the largest parliamentary group, with 43.4 per cent of the vote. The Greens, the SPD and the FDP are also represented in parliament. The AfD and The Left failed to clear the five per cent threshold in 2022, but could return to parliament in 2027 – provided the poll figures are favourable. In Schleswig-Holstein, where a widespread power cut in October 2026 affected 40,000 households and the damage caused by power surges sparked debate, attention is now turning to the election campaign. The power supply was largely restored after around two hours, but the incident remains fresh in the public memory.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly is the 2027 state election in Schleswig-Holstein?
Election day is Sunday 18 April 2027. Polling stations are usually open from 8 am to 6 pm.
Who are the leading candidates for the major parties?
CDU: Daniel Günther; Greens: Aminata Touré; SPD: Ulf Kämpfer; FDP: Christopher Vogt; The Left: Johanna Klitzschmüller; SSW: Christian Dirschauer. The AfD has not yet named a lead candidate.
Does the five per cent threshold apply to all parties?
No. As the party representing the Danish and Frisian minorities, the SSW is exempt from the five per cent threshold and can enter the state parliament with less than five per cent of the second votes.
What happens if no party secures an absolute majority?
In that case, coalitions must be formed. Currently, the CDU and the Greens are governing together; whether this majority will be sufficient in 2027 depends on the election result. Other alliances are also theoretically possible.
Where can I find official information about the election?
The Schleswig-Holstein State Electoral Commission publishes all dates, forms and results on its website. Local authorities also provide information on polling cards and postal voting documents.
Sources: NDR: Parties sign fairness pact · Yahoo News: SSW lead candidate Dirschauer. As at 25 October 2026.
