Germany's right-wing AfD seeks landmark state victory as Saxony-Anhalt votes
The far-right party is polling above 40%, and small parties may miss the 5% threshold, leaving mainstream rivals with few coalition options.
- Voters in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt head to the polls today, Sunday, in an election that could see the Alternative for Germany become the first far-right party to take power at a state level since World War Two.
- Led by 35-year-old Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD polls at over 40%, while Siegmund claims the party "can no longer be stopped" despite facing a "firewall" from mainstream parties due to its classification as "far-right extremist" by state security.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats trail at 23%, while coalition partners the FDP and SPD struggle to clear the 5% threshold. The far-left BSW remains the only party not ruling out a coalition with the AfD.
- If the AfD falls short of a majority, a CDU-led administration under incumbent state premier Sven Schulze is the most likely outcome. Schulze may pursue a minority government using a model employed in neighbouring Thuringia.
- Initial results are expected around 6 p.m. this evening. The election serves as a barometer for the AfD's broader ambitions in the 2029 federal election across Germany, positioning the party's national trajectory.
86 Articles
86 Articles
In sharp progress, AfD is in the process of leading a first German region during the elections in the Land of Saxony-Anhalt, this Sunday. It would be a political earthquake and a terrible setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Saxony-Anhalt chooses a new Landtag. Based on the polls, Apollo News has created an election model and simulated various outputs. The evaluation shows that an absolute majority of the AfD is quite possible – but more likely is another result.
El Periódico
More than half of the Germans see Alternative for Germany (AfD) as an "extremist" party and fear that it will rule, even if it is a low-weight land like Saxony-Anhalt. Forty-one percent are "extremly" worried about that possibility, plus another 12% who subscribe to fear, according to a survey by Ipsos.Keep reading....
The far right advances, upped by a ‘culture of discontent’ in the east of the country
The AfD party is the favorite with more than 40% of the vote, but needs allies to reach the government
Saxony-Anhalt today elects a new Landtag. The AfD is in the lead in polls. Monika Schnitzer, head of business, warns: An AfD government could greyen badly needed specialists and companies.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
