Why the ‘China threat’ was barely mentioned in Germany’s latest state election

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Xiaofei XuMarch 10, 2026 at 10:30 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

In Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, a region facing economic challenges due to increased competition from Chinese companies, the "China threat" was notably absent from discussions during the recent state election. Despite job cuts in the automotive industry and the economy being a top concern for voters, the election campaigns largely avoided focusing on China. The Green Party secured a narrow victory over the CDU, with the AfD gaining ground. Analysts suggest this lack of focus on China reflects Germany's hesitation to directly confront Beijing, unlike other European nations. Experts believe politicians are prioritizing solutions to economic problems over blaming China, as voters are more interested in actionable plans.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

France 30% Mercator Institute for China Studies 30% Alternative for Germany (AfD) 40% Bernhard Bartsch 40% Christian Democratic Union (CDU) 50% Green Party 50% Mercedes-Benz 60% Baden-Wurttemberg ×370% Germany ×480% China ×690%

Keywords

china threat 90% germany 80% state election 80% economic strain 70% china shock 70% baden-wurttemberg 60% market share 50% political reluctance 50% job cuts 40%