AfD Nears Power After Saxony-Anhalt Election Win
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has scored a historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, winning 43.8% of the vote but falling three seats short of an outright parliamentary majority.
AfD Wins 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt Election
The AfD is projected to hold 39 seats in the 83-member state parliament, with 42 required for a majority. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) finished a distant second with 17.2%.
The result represents the AfD’s strongest performance in a German state election and puts the party closer than ever to leading a state government.
No far-right party has governed a German state since World War Two. Control of Saxony-Anhalt would give an AfD-led administration significant authority over areas including policing and education.
AfD Seeks Partners to Form State Government
AfD deputy parliamentary leader Beatrix von Storch said the party was “very, very close” to taking power and urged rival parties to enter negotiations rather than reject the election result.
Saxony-Anhalt AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund described the outcome as a “clear mandate to govern” and said discussions had been initiated with other political groups and individual lawmakers.
Most established German parties maintain a political “firewall” against cooperation with the AfD, leaving the party facing a difficult path towards securing the additional support required.
CDU Faces Pressure After Heavy Election Defeat
Von Storch claimed the AfD was speaking with individual CDU politicians who were unhappy with their party, although the CDU leadership continues to reject cooperation with the AfD.
Saxony-Anhalt’s AfD branch has been classified as a confirmed right-wing extremist organisation by the state’s domestic intelligence service, a designation rejected by the party.
If negotiations fail to produce a workable majority, the state could face prolonged coalition talks and renewed political uncertainty.
