Germany’s far-right AfD scores historic win in regional election, falls short of majority

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a decisive victory in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt during the regional election. As the largest party, they achieved the most votes, though they fell short of the majority required to govern independently. The AfD garnered about 44% of the vote, a significant increase from their 23.7% performance in 2021.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union trailed behind with approximately 18% of the vote. The AfD received 39 seats out of the 83-member state parliament, three short of the 42 needed for a majority. Forming a government appears uncertain, as the AfD opposes coalition-building, while other parties maintain a political barrier against cooperation.

AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund hailed the results as historic, stating that voters had sent a clear message that current conditions were untenable. Co-leader Alice Weidel viewed the outcome as a "clear government mandate." Despite the win, the AfD has resisted the possibility of leading a minority government and suggested another election could yield more seats.

The party’s controversial policies, including the controversial "remigration" plan and criticism of cultural symbols, have drawn criticism. Their leader in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, has faced past scrutiny over comments about Germany’s Nazi past. The CDU suffered a dramatic setback, with its vote share dropping more than half compared to the previous election.

The mainstream parties’ refusal to cooperate with the AfD, known as the "Brandmauer" or "firewall," complicates the AfD’s path to power. Voter turnout was unusually high at roughly 76.5%, with the AfD strongest in eastern Germany. The election was closely watched, as no far-right party has governed a German state since World War II.