German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD narrowly beat the far-right Alternative for Germany in the Brandenburg election, seen as a referendum on his leadership.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) staved off the far right in a regional election on Sunday, likely providing him only a brief reprieve from growing criticism of his leadership within his own party.

The leadership of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party has sought to squash questions about his candidacy in next year’s national election after narrowly beating the far right in a regional vote.