AfD Seeks First State Governor as It Meets in Erfurt
The far-right party is seeking unity and stronger eastern election results as protests grow and Germany’s domestic intelligence agency keeps it under scrutiny.
- The far-right Alternative for Germany convenes in Erfurt this weekend to elect leaders, aiming to capitalize on surging poll numbers and secure its first state governor. Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to gather in the city to oppose the party.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz's national coalition government, which took office 14 months ago, faces deep unpopularity, aiding AfD's rise. Recent assessments place the party in first place nationally, above the 20.8% it won in last year's election.
- Gregor Maier, Thuringia's center-left interior minister, warned that an AfD interior minister would be a "security risk" due to potential mishandling of confidential information. Critics also fear the party could replace civil servants if it wins in Saxony-Anhalt.
- Party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla seek to extend their four-year tenure during the convention, emphasizing unity. Weidel recently declared that "2026 is a year of destiny for AfD" as the party attempts to translate national popularity into regional power.
- AfD hopes to win 40% or more in the September 6 election in Saxony-Anhalt, potentially enabling its first state governor. Political expert Albrecht von Lucke noted, "AfD is standing before the gates of power, to some extent," despite persistent legal scrutiny.
40 Articles
40 Articles
Far-right Alternative for Germany eyes votes in upcoming state election
Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is meeting to elect its leaders, which German parties do every two years. It will aim to put on a show of unity as it extends the terms of Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, who have run the party together for four years.
Associated Press News
The far-right Alternative for Germany is buoyant as it eyes a slice of power in regional elections
The far-right Alternative for Germany is in a buoyant mood as it holds a convention this weekend. It is capitalizing on the unpopularity of a government that’s trying to reform the sluggish economy, and eyeing promising prospects of power in an eastern region this fall.
The ultra-right Alternative party for Germany is in good spirits at its convention this weekend. The political body capitalizes on the unpopularity of a government that tries to reform the slow economy, and sees promising prospects of power in an eastern region this fall.
Thousands of police officers from the German state of Thuringia are now preparing for weekend protests against the congress of the far-right Alternative Party for Germany (AfD).
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