Setback for Merkel in German state parliament polls
Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats face defeat in German state parliament election
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Sunday, 27, Jan 2008 08:04
Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has been handed a telling defeat in state parliament elections, exit polls have shown.
In the first major polls since she became chancellor three years ago, the CDU's Roland Koch has lost his post as state premier in the financial heartland of Hesse.
Public broadcasters said exit polls and partial results for the state showed a maximum of 36.4 per cent for Mr Koch, handing victory to Social Democrat (SPD) candidate Andrea Ypsilanti.
Polls indicate Ms Ypsilanti has won at least 37.1 per cent of Hessian votes.
Mr Koch's campaign has reportedly been hit by accusations of racism after he adopted a hard stance on youth crime and immigration.
"We fought for a different political culture in this country and we won," Ms Ypsilanti said in response to the election claims.
If the CDU loses control of Hesse, the party's 'grand coalition' against traditional rival the SPD could be in doubt.
But in neighbouring Lower Saxony, CDU-linked state premier Christian Wolff was on course for a comfortable victory, polls suggested.
With more then ten million Germans eligible to vote in the two elections, the results are seen as a good market for next year's general election.