Zillar Barta Desk, Berlin, Germany: Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has achieved a historic breakthrough in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, emerging as the largest party in the regional election and sending shockwaves through German politics and across Europe.
The AfD secured around 44% of the vote, more than doubling its share from the previous state election in 2021. The result marks the first time since the end of World War II that a far-right party has won a German state election.
The victory represents a major setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The CDU, which had governed Saxony-Anhalt since 2002, fell to roughly 17–18%, its weakest performance in the state.
Despite its historic result, the AfD fell short of an outright majority in the state parliament. Other mainstream parties have maintained their refusal to form a coalition with the AfD, leaving the party’s path to government uncertain.
AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund described the result as a historic moment and presented the victory as a potential first step toward the party seeking national power. The party has campaigned heavily on immigration restrictions, nationalism, opposition to parts of Germany’s current European policy and closer relations with Russia.
The result has also intensified concerns beyond Germany. European observers are closely watching the rise of far-right parties across the continent, with the German vote being viewed as another sign of growing voter dissatisfaction with established political parties and mainstream governments.
With Germany facing further regional elections, the AfD’s breakthrough could become an important test of whether its growing support can translate into political power. For Merz and Germany’s traditional parties, the result is likely to intensify the debate over immigration, economic policy and the long-standing political “firewall” against cooperation with the AfD.
