Mittelems (electoral district) explained

Mittelems is an electoral constituency (German: Wahlkreis) represented in the Bundestag. It elects one member via first-past-the-post voting. Under the current constituency numbering system, it is designated as constituency 31. It is located in western Lower Saxony, comprising the Grafschaft Bentheim district and the southern part of the Emsland district.^[1]

Mittelems was created for the 1980 federal election. Since 2013, it has been represented by Albert Stegemann of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).^[2]

Geography

Mittelems is located in western Lower Saxony. As of the 2021 federal election, it comprises the entirety of the Grafschaft Bentheim district and the southern part of the Emsland district, specifically the municipalities of Emsbüren, Geeste, Haselünne, Lingen, Meppen, and Salzbergen, as well as the Samtgemeinden of Freren, Herzlake, Lengerich, and Spelle.^[1]

History

Mittelems was created in 1980 and contained parts of the abolished constituencies of Emsland and Lingen. Until the 2002 election, it was constituency number 26. From then until 2013, it was constituency 32. Since 2013, it has been constituency 31. Its borders have not changed since its creation.

Members

The constituency has been held continuously by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since its creation. Its first representative was Burkhard Ritz, who served a single term. He was succeeded by Hans-Gerd Strube, who served until 1994, followed by Hermann Kues. In 2013, Albert Stegemann was elected representative. He was re-elected in 2017 and 2021.

Election		Member	Party	%
bgcolor=		1980	Burkhard Ritz	CDU	54.4
	1983	Hans-Gerd Strube	CDU	60.0
1987	54.8
1990	57.2
	1994	Hermann Kues	CDU	57.0
1998	53.3
2002	53.3
2005	55.6
2009	54.6
	2013	Albert Stegemann	CDU	59.0
2017	53.6
2021	40.5

Election results

2009 election

Notes and References

1. Web site: Constituency Mittelems. Federal Returning Officer.
2. Web site: Results for Mittelems. Federal Returning Officer.