German Chancellor Angela Merkel won the election in the small South-Western state of Saarland - a successful vote is seen as the hope for victory in national elections in September.

The center-right Christian Democrats (CDU) during Sunday's vote won 40.7 percent. A convincing victory over center-left Social democratic party (SPD), which took only 29.6 per cent, according to partner ARD.

The election was widely seen as a test for the new leader of the SPD, the former President of EU Parliament Martin Schulz, whose criticism of the policies of U.S. President Donald trump, apparently, is well remembered by voters. However, the Berlin University political scientist Oskar Niedermayer told that the state of Saarland is too small to make direct conclusions for the upcoming national elections.

Being on the border with France and Luxembourg, Saarland is home to less than 1 million people, which is part of the 80 million population of Germany. But Niedermayer said of the election victory on Sunday will give the party motivation rise, as the party moves towards national elections on 24 September.

Elections in September are perceived by many as a referendum on immigration policy, Merkel and demonstration of anti-immigrant parties, which gained fame in Europe.
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