Far-right AfD secures historic state election victory in Germany
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, marking the first time a far-right party has won a state election since World War II. Despite the win, the AfD lacks a majority and other parties have ruled out cooperation. Polls suggest the party could become the strongest force nationally by 2029.
The AfD secured 44 percent of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, winning 39 of 83 state parliament seats, three short of an absolute majority. The incumbent Christian Democrats, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saw their support halve to 17 percent, marking their worst result ever in the state.
Despite the historic win, the party remains excluded from governance because mainstream parties maintain a strict refusal to cooperate with it, a party that domestic intelligence classifies as an extremist threat. Its platform advocates strict immigration limits, closer ties with Russia, reduced Ukraine support, and abandoning the euro, with national polling suggesting it could finish first in the 2029 federal election.
The AfD's breakthrough could significantly reshape Germany's political landscape, potentially forcing mainstream parties to reconsider their long-standing refusal to cooperate. Voters in eastern Germany may feel their concerns are finally being addressed, while immigrant communities and pro-EU citizens could face heightened anxiety over potential policy shifts. Nationally, this result may embolden the AfD's base, but it also risks deepening political polarization and institutional gridlock if the refusal holds.