Boys, young, scared: AfD wins by fishing in absenteeism and in the center

Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, has called the overwhelming victory of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in the elections for the state of Saxony-Anhalt a "devastating defeat" for his Christian Democratic Union (Cdu). The results, which saw AfD secure 44.5% of the vote, have left Merz stunned and forced him to acknowledge that the party's traditional dominance is crumbling. Despite the early polls suggesting a close race, the outcome has shaken the Cdu, with its share of the vote dropping to just 18%. Merz admitted that this was the worst electoral defeat for the Cdu in decades, though he ruled out resigning, stating that "giving up is not an option." The election result marks a turning point for Germany’s political landscape, with AfD emerging as the dominant force in the eastern state. The party, known for its anti-immigration stance and nationalist rhetoric, has gained traction among voters disillusioned with mainstream parties. Its candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, celebrated the win, calling it a historic achievement and expressing hope for future governance. However, the party does not yet hold an outright majority, and forming a government will require alliances with other parties, including the leftist Sahra Wagenknecht’s Bündnis Südwest (BSW). Merz expressed concern over the implications of the result, noting that the shift reflects broader dissatisfaction with current policies and highlights the need for internal reforms within the Cdu. He acknowledged that the party had failed to connect emotionally with voters, a factor he believes contributed to its loss. Merz emphasized the importance of addressing these issues through dialogue and transparency, stressing that the country needs substantial reforms to address growing public discontent. The rise of AfD has sparked alarm among European leaders, with some viewing it as a challenge to the stability of the European Union. Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the party’s success, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has hailed the result as the beginning of a new era. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, a long-time supporter of AfD, congratulated the party on its victory, reinforcing the perception that the movement has gained international attention. The election has also prompted criticism from within Germany’s political establishment. Some members of the ruling coalition, including the Social Democrats (Spd), have raised concerns about the implications of the result. The Cdu and Spd held emergency meetings in Berlin to discuss the fallout, with some analysts warning that the trend could spread beyond Saxony-Anhalt and affect national politics. The AfD’s platform includes proposals such as mass deportation of immigrants, a referendum on leaving the euro, and closer ties with Russia. These positions have drawn comparisons to historical extremist movements, prompting fears of a resurgence of far-right ideology. While the party’s leaders insist they are not seeking power for its own sake, critics argue that its influence could grow significantly in the coming years. The election result has also led to calls for greater scrutiny of the Cdu’s leadership. Merz faces mounting pressure to address the erosion of trust within his party and to implement changes that align with voter expectations. His administration has been criticized for failing to respond effectively to rising public frustration, particularly regarding economic inequality and immigration policy. As the political situation continues to evolve, the outcome in Saxony-Anhalt serves as a warning sign for the broader German electorate. With AfD gaining momentum and traditional parties struggling to adapt, the future of German politics appears increasingly uncertain. The next steps will depend on how quickly the Cdu can recover and whether other parties can find common ground to counter the far-right’s growing appeal.