Saxony-Anhalt: Far-right AfD secures huge lead in key vote
Although the eastern state accounts for less than 3% of the nationwide electorate, the election outcome could serve as a bellwether about the far-right AfD's prospects in the rest of the country. DW has the latest.
On election day in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt state, preliminary exit polls suggest that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has secured 44.5% of the votes, while the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has garnered 18.5%. Several news outlets monitor the race closely, noting that polling institutes have examined this race particularly closely due to earlier discrepancies.
Roland Abold, managing director of Infratest dimap, explained that the difference between pre-election surveys and the final result was notable in 2018. Current polling indicates that the AfD would secure roughly 40-41% of the votes, while the CDU would receive around 22-23%. The Left Party and Social Democrats are also expected to secure parliamentary seats, while the Green Party hovers around the 5% threshold necessary for gaining parliamentary representation.
Economic experts warn that Saxony-Anhalt's attractiveness for skilled workers and companies might decline under an AfD-led government, as the party advocates for a return to coal and nuclear power. Chancellor Friedrich Merz hopes his pledge to reduce support for the AfD in half will manifest in this election, but projections suggest otherwise.
The campaign's atmosphere has been tense, with increased police presence and heightened security measures in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt's capital city. Some residents, particularly those with a migration background, view the election as a matter of belonging, security, and their future in Germany.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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