Alternative candidates for Germany (AfD) did not finally be surprised and lost all three municipalities who claimed in the North Rhine-Westphalia elections. At the same time, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) suffered a historic defeat in Dortmund.

In Gelzenkirchen, who for decades was considered a stronghold of the Social Democrats, SPD candidate Andrea Hendce, with 66.9% of the vote, prevailed in the repeat round of AfD candidate Norbert Emerich, who received 33.1%. In the February federal elections, the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) with AFD in second place and SPD in the third became the decline of carbon and steel industries. In 2024 Gelzenkirchen recorded the highest unemployment rate in Germany, with 14.8%.

In the other city of steel, Duizburg, the longtime Mayor Zeren Link (SPD) received 78.6% of the vote, while his opponent from AfD Carsten Gros was limited to 21.4%. Mr Link has already completed 13 years in the municipality and has been credited with successfully fighting fraud against the social welfare system.

In Hagen, CDU candidate Denis Rebain prevailed with 71.7% of Michael ‘EHEE from AfD, who received 28.3% of the vote.

In Dortmund the SPD lost the municipality after 80 years. With 52.9%, CDU candidate Alexander Kalouti, originally from Lebanon, won the SPD Mayor Thomas Vestefal, who garnered 47.08% of his fellow citizens. On the contrary, in Oberhausen, the SPD won the municipality from the CDU after 10 years. Torsten Berg received 51% against 49% of the current Mayor Daniel Srandz, who has been in place since 2015.