Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured its strongest ever result in a state election in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, winning approximately 44% of the vote. While falling short of an outright majority in the 83-seat parliament – projected to win 39 seats – the result marks a watershed moment, as no far-right party has governed a German state since World War II. The AfD’s lead candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, stated, “We have made history in this country,” and indicated a willingness to explore governing options, though he initially refused to lead a minority government. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, suffered a significant defeat, garnering around 18% of the vote, a drop from 37.1% in 2021.
The AfD’s success comes amidst widespread discontent with the current political establishment and a sluggish national economy. The party’s platform focuses on restricting immigration and restoring ties with Russia. Germany’s domestic intelligence agency classifies the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt as “right-wing extremist,” a designation rejected by Siegmund. The smaller BSW party cleared the 5% threshold to enter parliament, potentially influencing the AfD’s path to power.
Mainstream parties have largely ruled out any cooperation with the AfD, maintaining a “firewall” against the far-right. However, Siegmund has not entirely closed the door to forming a government, suggesting potential collaboration with individual MPs or parties. The outcome has drawn international attention, with US President Donald Trump sharing a projection of the results on social media, and Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev praising the AfD as “the party of hope and reason.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, conversely, expressed dismay at the AfD’s success. The CDU’s general secretary, Franziska Hoppermann, described the result as a “defeat” for the party and for the state’s democratic responsibility over the past 35 years. The party’s national co-leaders, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, hailed the result as a clear mandate for governing. The final seat distribution and the willingness of other parties to negotiate will determine whether the AfD can ultimately form a government, leaving the future political landscape of Saxony-Anhalt uncertain.
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