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Germany’s AfD Seeks Landmark State Victory in Saxony-Anhalt Vote
People in Saxony-Anhalt, a state in eastern Germany, will vote on Sunday.
The AfD, a far-right party, is leading in the polls.
Its leader is Ulrich Siegmund, who is 35 years old.
The party could win enough seats to govern alone, but that is difficult under Germany’s voting system.
If it does not win a majority, other parties may try to form a government without it.
These parties generally follow a policy of not cooperating with the AfD.
The election is also seen as a test of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government.
The AfD hopes the vote will help its longer-term goal of winning national power in 2029.
Saxony-Anhalt voters will elect a new state parliament on Sunday in a closely watched contest.
Recent polls put the Alternative for Germany (AfD) above 40%, ahead of the Christian Democrats at 23%.
An AfD outright majority could make it the first far-right party to govern a German state since World War Two.
If the AfD falls short, incumbent premier Sven Schulze’s Christian Democrats are considered most likely to lead a coalition.
The result is also being watched as a test of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s tougher approach to migration and security.
- Who
- Voters in Saxony-Anhalt, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the Christian Democrats, and other state parties.
- What
- A state election that could give the AfD its first state-level governing victory in Germany since World War Two.
- Where
- Saxony-Anhalt, eastern Germany, with voting focused on the state capital Magdeburg during the final rally.
- When
- Sunday; initial results are expected around 6 p.m. local time, or 1600 GMT.
- Why
- The election could determine whether the AfD wins an outright majority and is being watched as a measure of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s unpopular government.
AfD’s Governing Ambition
Mainstream Parties’ Firewall
Coalition and government participation
AfD’s Governing Ambition
The AfD says its rise in Saxony-Anhalt and across Germany can no longer be stopped and seeks an outright majority to govern without relying on other parties.
Mainstream Parties’ Firewall
Mainstream parties have maintained a firewall against cooperation with the AfD, which has been classified as far-right extremist by the state security service.
Possible outcome if no party wins alone
AfD’s Governing Ambition
The AfD could seek influence through coalition talks, although the small BSW is the only party described as not ruling out cooperation with it.
Mainstream Parties’ Firewall
If the AfD falls short, a CDU-led administration is considered most likely, potentially involving the SPD, Greens, or a minority government tolerated by the Left Party.
Key facts
- AfD polling
- Just over 40% in recent surveys
- Christian Democrats polling
- 23% in recent surveys
- State premier
- Sven Schulze
- AfD leader
- Ulrich Siegmund, 35
- Parliamentary threshold
- Parties must generally receive at least 5% to enter parliament
- Expected results
- Initial results are expected around 6 p.m. Sunday, or 1600 GMT
- Next federal election
- Scheduled for 2029
Quotes
Ulrich Siegmund
Leader of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt
“Because what we have started here in Saxony-Anhalt — what is currently sweeping across all of Germany — can no longer be stopped”
theprint.in
“No matter the outcome of tomorrow’s election, we have already made history”
theprint.in
Sources
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