CDU's Fish Bun Campaign Draws Ridicule Ahead of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Election

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the German state of Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern launched a new election poster featuring a fish bun (Fischbrötchen) with the slogan “Die Mitte ist das Beste” (“The centre is the best”). The move is intended to appeal to centrist voters ahead of the state parliamentary election scheduled for 20 September.

The poster has provoked widespread mockery and criticism. SPD politicians, including Landtag member Lilly Blaudszun, accused the CDU of cheap publicity, noting the photo cost 73 euros and was sourced from the internet to avoid favouring any local baker. CDU lead candidate Daniel Peters defended the choice, saying a neutral image was needed to prevent regional disputes. Opposition figures such as former FDP lawmaker Thomas Kemmerich and AfD deputy Thore Stein questioned the campaign’s seriousness, while some social‑media users offered praise.

Polls show the CDU trailing far behind the AfD (36 %) and SPD (29 %) with only about 9 % support in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, underscoring the party’s precarious position ahead of the vote.