AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt election but falls short of governing majority
The far-right party’s victory delivers a major setback to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU while leaving the next state government uncertain.
Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won the Saxony-Anhalt state election but fallen short of an outright majority, preventing it from governing alone.
The result represents a significant gain for the anti-immigrant, populist far-right party and a major setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU. AfD list leader Ulrich Siegmund was identified by German media as a prominent beneficiary of the result.
The AfD had been polling at about 40 per cent or more before the vote. It became Germany’s main opposition party in last year’s federal elections, according to France 24, and an AfD-led regional government would reportedly be the country’s first headed by a far-right party.
Government formation remains unresolved. Without a majority, the AfD would need coalition arrangements to take power, but the supplied results do not identify potential partners. Negotiations could take weeks if no party can command a majority.
France 24’s review of German and European press described the result as a significant moment for German democracy and Europe’s political direction. Commentary cited by the broadcaster also portrayed the AfD as becoming more radical, in contrast with some other European right-wing parties.
The vote was additionally presented by Die Zeit, as reported by France 24, as an indictment of Merz, whose popularity and authority were described as weakened. The election’s political consequences will depend on whether a governing coalition can be formed.
