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Election blow for German leader Election blow for German leader
(19 minutes later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) have suffered a dramatic electoral setback in the key state of Hesse.German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) have suffered a dramatic electoral setback in the key state of Hesse.
Governor Roland Koch, who made immigrant crime an election issue, lost his absolute majority in Hesse's parliament, early results show. Governor Roland Koch, who made immigrant crime an election issue, lost his absolute majority in Hesse's parliament, official results show.
While the CDU might still form a coalition, its vote share was barely above that of the Social Democrat SPD.While the CDU might still form a coalition, its vote share was barely above that of the Social Democrat SPD.
But the CDU did retain power in another state, Lower Saxony, as expected.But the CDU did retain power in another state, Lower Saxony, as expected.
After taking 48.8% of the vote and an overall majority of seats in 2003, Mr Koch's party won 36.8% on Sunday to the SPD's 36.7% (29.1% in 2003).After taking 48.8% of the vote and an overall majority of seats in 2003, Mr Koch's party won 36.8% on Sunday to the SPD's 36.7% (29.1% in 2003).
In Lower Saxony, the CDU also saw its vote share fall but it still won about 42.5% to the SPD's 30.3%, preliminary results show. In Lower Saxony, the CDU also saw its vote share fall but it still won about 42.5% to the SPD's 30.3%.
The elections in two of Germany's most important states are being seen as a dry run for the federal election next year, the BBC's Tristana Moore reports.The elections in two of Germany's most important states are being seen as a dry run for the federal election next year, the BBC's Tristana Moore reports.
The CDU and SPD, traditional political foes, have ruled Germany in an uneasy Grand Coalition since 2005.The CDU and SPD, traditional political foes, have ruled Germany in an uneasy Grand Coalition since 2005.
Boost for SPDBoost for SPD
Mr Koch had fought an aggressive and divisive campaign, calling for tough new laws against immigrant young offenders.Mr Koch had fought an aggressive and divisive campaign, calling for tough new laws against immigrant young offenders.
Roland Koch has been seen as a future CDU leaderRoland Koch has been seen as a future CDU leader
Although critics were quick to point out that his campaign was xenophobic, Chancellor Merkel gave her full backing to Mr Koch, known as the "Crown Prince" among conservatives.Although critics were quick to point out that his campaign was xenophobic, Chancellor Merkel gave her full backing to Mr Koch, known as the "Crown Prince" among conservatives.
But it is now clear that many voters felt uncomfortable with the CDU's hardline rhetoric and they delivered a severe blow to Chancellor Merkel's party, our correspondent says.But it is now clear that many voters felt uncomfortable with the CDU's hardline rhetoric and they delivered a severe blow to Chancellor Merkel's party, our correspondent says.
The SPD's Hesse leader, Andrea Ypsilanti, had appealed to left-wing voters during her campaign with calls for a national minimum wage and better schools.The SPD's Hesse leader, Andrea Ypsilanti, had appealed to left-wing voters during her campaign with calls for a national minimum wage and better schools.
"We fought for a different political culture, and we won," she said after the results were announced.
The balance of power in Hesse now lies with the smaller parties, the Greens, the liberal FDP and the Left Party and it is still not clear who will be able to form a coalition government.The balance of power in Hesse now lies with the smaller parties, the Greens, the liberal FDP and the Left Party and it is still not clear who will be able to form a coalition government.
For the SPD, the result in Hesse is a welcome boost to the party, our correspondent notes. For the SPD, the result in Hesse is a welcome boost, our correspondent notes.
Once trailing in the polls, it will now feel emboldened at a national level.Once trailing in the polls, it will now feel emboldened at a national level.
But Sunday's results are also likely to lead to more in-fighting in the Grand Coalition, as the main parties sharpen their ideological differences.But Sunday's results are also likely to lead to more in-fighting in the Grand Coalition, as the main parties sharpen their ideological differences.