Germany's far-right AfD clear frontrunner in eastern state vote

Voters in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt state cast their ballots on Sunday in a regional election, where far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is expected to secure an overwhelming majority. However, the AfD is not assured of the absolute majority needed to control the state's government. A victory would mark the first time since World War II that a far-right party governs a German state, causing concern among mainstream parties and minority groups.

Polls opened at 8:00 am and closed at 6:00 pm, with first projections expected shortly after. Saxony-Anhalt, a state of 2.1 million people, is currently governed by the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) coalition under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. State Premier Sven Schulze aims to form another coalition to retain power, with all major parties maintaining a non-cooperation "firewall" with the AfD, classified as right-wing extremist by Germany's domestic intelligence agency.

The AfD's charismatic candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, has confidently predicted an absolute majority, stating that if no one cooperates, they will proceed alone. If the AfD wins, it could shake Germany's post-WWII stance and pressure Chancellor Merz, who has vowed to revitalize the economy and control immigration. Siegmund, a candidate in the 2029 national election, seeks to lead a political revolution and alter school history books to emphasize a nostalgic East Germany and downplay Nazi crimes.

The latest poll shows the AfD with a 41% lead, nearly double its 2021 score, while the CDU and SPD lag behind. Despite warnings from the German Economic Institute about the AfD's detrimental immigration policies, opponents rallied against the far-right party, fearing a rise in openly right-wing sympathizers.