AfD projected to score historic victory in German state election, but path to power remains unclear
The Saxony-Anhalt election represents a major breakthrough for AfD and a significant setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU. With approximately 44% of the vote, AfD has demonstrated that it has become a dominant political force in the eastern German state.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is projected to achieve a historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt, a state in eastern Germany. This win could make the AfD the strongest political force in the region and increase pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his government. While it remains uncertain whether the AfD will secure an outright majority in the state legislature, the projected results indicate a significant shift in voter sentiment.
The AfD's performance is seen as a major setback for Merz's centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which has governed Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years. With around 44% of the vote, the AfD would be the biggest electoral breakthrough in its 13-year history. The party's candidates, including Ulrich Siegmund who is running for governor, highlighted the need for change and directly criticized Merz.
The final seat distribution will determine whether the AfD can form a government, which would grant them direct control over key areas of public policy in Saxony-Anhalt. However, even if the AfD falls short of an outright majority, they are expected to face a difficult path to forming a government, as mainstream German parties have refused to cooperate with the AfD, maintaining a policy known as the "firewall" or Brandmauer.
Written by urgent.news from Live Mint's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
