Landtagswahl: Die wichtigsten Lehren aus der Wahl in Sachsen-Anhalt

The Saxon-Anhalt Landtag election captured national and international attention unlike any previous election in the state. For the first time in German federal history, a right-wing extremist party, the AfD, received the most votes, far surpassing the second-place CDU. This outcome raises several key lessons:

First, populist candidates like AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund succeeded where technocratic politicians failed. Siegmund energized voters with a message of change and hope, earning over 40% of the vote. The CDU, previously in power, struggled to connect with voters, falling to just 18%.

Second, the Union (CDU) underestimated the impact of its technocratic approach. Former Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff stepping down in 2026 made it harder for Minister President Sven Schulze to argue that he was a necessary figure for the state. As a result, Schulze's party focused on looking forward rather than dwelling on internal debates.

Third, campaigning beyond economic issues backfired for the CDU and Greens. Chancellor's unpopularity and negative views on proposed reforms in healthcare and pensions made voters wary of the federal government. According to Civey research, 76% of respondents expected an AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt to significantly alter national politics.

Fourth, the AfD's success puts pressure on the federal government. The coalition will have to make compromises on economic reforms and migration policy. Both the Union and SPD may need to step up their presence in politics, which could be challenging given the growing pressure for political change across Germany.

Lastly, the AfD's person-focused campaign appealed to voters, as evidenced by Siegmund's higher approval ratings among potential ministers. Despite Schulze's lead in a poll, Siegmund was preferred as Prime Minister by 48% of respondents. The AfD's slogans of "everything is possible" and "taking our country back" were seen as a return to traditional values and societal order.