MAGDEBURG, Germany — The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has emerged with a substantial lead in the Saxony-Anhalt state elections, yet uncertainties remain about forming Germany’s first far-right state government since World War II. Exit polls on Sunday indicated the AfD’s significant performance.
The AfD aimed for an outright majority in the state legislature, seeking to govern independently. Success in this would dismantle the longstanding reluctance of mainstream parties to collaborate with AfD. Attaining governance of a state would mark a milestone in the party’s history, coinciding with widespread dissatisfaction with a national government criticized for failing to invigorate the sluggish economy.
The CDU, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has governed Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years. The election results could undermine its long-standing influence. Exit poll data from ARD and ZDF public television projected the AfD to secure approximately 44% of the votes, a substantial increase from its previous performance in this eastern German region, home to around 2.1 million people.
The CDU was forecast to receive about 18.5%, marking a significant reduction in support. The Left Party showed a likely third-place finish with around 9%. The Social Democrats and Greens appeared set to remain in the legislature with approximately 8%-9% respectively, while the BSW party’s chance of reaching the 5% threshold for legislative representation remained uncertain.
Despite the strong performance, the exit polls suggested AfD might not achieve an absolute majority. AfD’s candidate for state governor, Ulrich Siegmund, celebrated by asserting that “we have written history.” He emphasized that voters’ choices signal a need for change and referred to Merz as “a very good campaigner for us.”
Franziska Hoppermann, the CDU’s national general secretary, acknowledged the challenging nature of the election result for her party.
AfD remains Germany’s largest opposition party within the national parliament, experiencing its greatest support in the eastern regions, including Saxony-Anhalt.