2006 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state election
The 2006 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state election was held on 17 September 2006 to elect the members of the 5th Landtag of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The incumbent coalition government of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) led by Minister-President Harald Ringstorff was returned with a reduced majority. However, the SPD chose not to continue the coalition. They instead formed a grand coalition with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Ringstorff was subsequently re-elected as Minister-President. Issues and campaign. The economy was a major issue throughout the campaign. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's  unemployment rate was among the worst in Germany. The possibility of the far-right NPD entering the parliament also became an issue late in the campaign, with all established parties condemning it. Parties. The table below lists parties represented in the 4th Landtag of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Election result. ! | Party ! Votes ! +/- ! Seats ! Seats % !| !| Total !| 818,061 !| 100.0 !| !| 71 !| ±0 !| !| Voter turnout !| !| 59.2 !| 11.4 !| !| !|