Germany's far-right AfD emerges as landslide winner in eastern state vote

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party triumphed in a key regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, a traditionally communist eastern state, according to exit polls by public broadcasters. The anti-immigration party secured over 44% of the vote, though it is unclear if the AfD will secure an absolute majority, which would allow them to govern the state alone for the first time.

The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, came in second with around 18.5% of the vote. With a "firewall" of non-cooperation in place with the Moscow-friendly AfD, the CDU's state premier Sven Schulze hopes to form a new multi-party coalition to prevent the AfD from gaining power. The prospect of an AfD state government is unprecedented and has drawn protests from the AfD's opponents, who fear a rise in far-right sentiment.

The party's charismatic leader Ulrich Siegmund has set ambitious goals, including leading a political revolution that could propel the AfD to national victory in 2029. Siegmund's campaign has tapped into nostalgia for communist East Germany and resentment over the lingering wealth gap with the west. The AfD's platform includes promises of a "remigration and deportation offensive" against irregular migrants, replacing LGBTQ pride flags in public schools, and reversing the shrinking population through baby bonuses.

However, experts warn that an AfD-run state could have detrimental effects, including economic ruin for Saxony-Anhalt, which relies heavily on foreign-born workers, and risks of sensitive information being leaked to Russia, as Moscow views the AfD as a key instrument for destabilizing Germany.