AfD makes gains in state elections, but has no government options
Despite making significant gains in both Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the far-right AfD remains without options to form a state government.
The Alternative for Germany, or AfD, saw significant electoral success in the recent state elections across northeastern Germany and in Berlin's capital, though it's unlikely to form a government in either region. According to exit polls, the AfD emerged as the top party in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, receiving 37.9% of the vote, just ahead of the Social Democrats (SPD) who secured 35.7% of the vote. However, the final results are still pending, as votes are being counted.
AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla had confidently declared right after the first exit poll results showed the party's strong showing, asserting that they had a mandate to govern. In Berlin, the AfD secured 16.2% of the vote, well below its expectations, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz's center-right Christian Democrats (CDU) suffered heavy losses. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel declared the AfD as the successor to the CDU, stating that the party is engaging in coalition talks, though the specifics of these talks remain unexplained.
Despite the AfD's gains, the party has struggled to find political allies to form a government. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD narrowly missed securing an absolute majority in the state parliament, making it impossible for them to elect the state premier on their own. The party's leaders have stated that they would only lead a stable AfD government, not a minority one. Currently, no other party seems willing to form a coalition with the AfD.
The party's ambitions extend beyond state governments, with its national leadership showing interest in forming any kind of government. This is evident in Weidel's statement that the AfD could take power even in a minority government. Weidel herself has ambitions to succeed Merz as chancellor, following in the footsteps of other top AfD officials.
However, the rise of the AfD has also been marked by negative headlines and protests, with several candidates being disqualified due to criminal records or controversial associations with Nazi-era symbols.
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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