Saxony-Anhalt: Digesting the AfD's landmark election win
With well over 40% for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Saxony-Anhalt has witnessed a landmark election night. DW's reporters were on the ground.
Saxony-Anhalt's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party experienced a landmark election victory, securing more than 40% of the vote, according to preliminary results. This significant win leaves the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which has governed the region for the past 24 years, in a challenging position. AfD's leading candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, and party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla were visibly elated, with Weidel declaring a clear mandate for her party to form a government.
Chrupalla even went as far as accusing Chancellor Friedrich Merz of unnecessarily escalating tensions with Russia. After the election, 1,800 additional police officers were dispatched to Saxony-Anhalt to maintain order. The CDU, which has governed Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years, suffered a decisive defeat, with only die-hard supporters remaining at their election party.
Despite the AfD's overwhelming victory, it is unlikely to form a government with an absolute majority, leaving other parties to consider potential coalitions. The SPD, the junior partner in Chancellor Merz's federal government, expressed optimism about representing the state parliament. However, the AfD's hardline stance on refugees and their approach to governing the state remain contentious issues.
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