German far-right faces an absolute majority in Saxony-Anhalt and hopes to win the first regional government since World War II

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured a historic victory in the state elections of Saxony-Anhalt, edging closer than ever before to forming a regional government. The results show the AfD won 39 seats, falling just three short of the 42 required for an outright majority. This marks the closest the party has come to gaining power at a regional level since the end of World War II. The AfD, known for its anti-immigration stance and nationalist rhetoric, gained significant ground against its main rivals. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, suffered a sharp decline, dropping from 40 to 16 seats. The CDU’s share of the vote fell below 18%, a dramatic drop from its 37.1% in the 2021 regional elections. The AfD’s performance has been fueled by growing public discontent over economic stagnation and immigration issues, particularly from Middle Eastern countries. At a rally in Magdeburg, Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s top candidate, hailed the outcome as a defining moment for the party. “We’ve made history. We’re taking back our country. It starts here in Saxony-Anhalt,” he declared, as supporters cheered enthusiastically. Siegmund emphasized that the election result sends a clear message to both the national government and the broader political landscape. The current leader of Saxony-Anhalt, Sven Schulze, who belongs to the CDU, expressed disappointment following the results. Speaking to supporters, Schulze acknowledged that the electorate had sent a “clear message.” His remarks reflected the frustration of the ruling party, which has struggled to maintain public support amid rising concerns over economic stability and migration policies. Political analysts suggest that the AfD’s success could lead to a shift in the balance of power within the regional parliament. While the party does not yet hold enough seats to govern alone, it may attempt to form alliances with smaller parties or encourage defections from traditional parties such as the CDU, SPD, and Greens. However, these efforts face considerable obstacles, including resistance from established political factions unwilling to collaborate with the AfD, which is classified as a far-right extremist group by state intelligence services. The AfD’s rise has also drawn attention from national political figures. Chancellor Merz, whose CDU-led government has faced mounting criticism, has yet to publicly respond to the election results. Analysts note that the outcome could influence future political strategies, potentially leading to internal divisions within the CDU or even calls for leadership changes. Saxony-Anhalt, a historically marginalized region in eastern Germany, has long struggled with demographic decline and high unemployment rates. With a population of around 2.1 million, the state has lost more residents than any other region since German reunification in 1990. These socio-economic challenges have created fertile ground for the AfD’s message of nationalism and opposition to immigration. Founded in 2013, the AfD initially focused on opposing Germany’s adoption of the euro. Over time, it has expanded its platform to include anti-immigration rhetoric and skepticism toward mainstream political institutions. Despite being labeled as a far-right extremist group by German intelligence agencies, the AfD has managed to gain substantial public support, especially among older voters and rural communities. The upcoming negotiations over governance will determine whether the AfD can achieve its goal of forming a government. While the party may seek cooperation with smaller leftist groups, such as the Left Party (Die Linke), tensions remain due to ideological differences. Meanwhile, the CDU, SPD, and Greens continue to resist working with the AfD, maintaining a so-called “firewall” policy to prevent collaboration with far-right forces. As the political landscape shifts, the outcome of these negotiations will shape the future direction of regional governance in Saxony-Anhalt and potentially influence national politics. For now, the AfD stands at a pivotal moment, poised to challenge the status quo in a way not seen since the end of World War II.