AfD Wins Historic Saxony-Anhalt Election

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won about 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, becoming the first far-right party since World War II to win a German state election. Led by 35-year-old Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD secured 39 of 83 legislative seats, three short of an outright majority, and cannot govern alone. The party has ruled out a minority government, while mainstream parties maintain a political firewall against cooperation with it, leaving the formation of a stable administration uncertain. The result is a major setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his Christian Democrats, who have governed the state for decades, and reflects dissatisfaction with Germany’s ruling coalition and economic performance. The AfD campaigned on sharply restricting immigration, deportations, closer ties with Russia, ending support for Ukraine and other nationalist policies, making the result significant for Germany and Europe even if the party remains excluded from government.