Saxony-Anhalt: Preliminary official results show AfD tops vote
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won the Saxony-Anhalt state election but failed to secure an absolute majority in the state parliament. Follow DW.
Germany's Saxony-Anhalt state held an election on Sunday, September 6. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerged as the leading party, securing 43.8% of the vote, according to preliminary official results. However, the AfD fell short of a governing majority, obtaining 38 out of the 61 seats in the regional parliament. This result signals a significant shift in the political landscape of Saxony-Anhalt and raises questions about the future of Germany's political center.
The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which has traditionally maintained a "political firewall" against cooperation with the AfD, saw its efforts to prevent a partnership with the far-right party coming under pressure. The CDU failed to secure a single direct mandate in the election, while the Free Democrats (FDP) and the Left Party also performed poorly, failing to reach the 5% threshold required for representation in the state parliament.
The high voter turnout of nearly 78% reflects the electorate's interest in the election results and the AfD's growing popularity. The election's implications extend beyond Saxony-Anhalt, as Germany's next federal election is scheduled for 2029, and political parties are likely to closely watch how the AfD's rise shapes the country's political landscape.
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