Germany’s far-right AfD set for big win in eastern state, just short of majority

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is poised for a significant victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, based on preliminary results. While the AfD is projected to fall short of a majority, they are on track to win a record 44% of the vote, a substantial lead over the conservative CDU with just over 17% support.

Party leader Ulrich Siegmund described the outcome as "sensational" and expressed eagerness to govern immediately. This win marks the first time a far-right party has controlled a German state since World War Two, granting them authority over policing, local education and cultural matters. Saxony-Anhalt, home to 2.1 million people, is considered a right-wing extremist area by German intelligence, a classification the AfD rejects.

With over 97% of votes counted, the AfD is expected to surpass its 2021 performance by more than double. The outcome is being hailed as a watershed moment, signaling a shift away from the past. Mainstream media including Das Erste canceled regular programming to cover the significance of the results. In response, US President Donald Trump shared the German TV projection on his social media platform, while Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev praised it as a "historic win for the pragmatic AfD."

The AfD's strong performance in Saxony-Anhalt, which has a population of 2.1 million, positions them to win a significant number of seats in the state parliament, currently projected at 39 out of 83. The party's support is bolstered by high voter turnout of up to 78% in the region.