{
  "id": 6103900,
  "title": "Sachsen-Anhalt: „Union darf sich nicht wegducken“ – So reagiert Berlin auf die Wahl",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/sachsen-anhalt-union-darf-sich-nicht-wegducken-so-reagiert-berlin-auf",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T05:38:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/sachsen-anhalt-union-darf-sich-nicht-wegducken-so-reagiert-berlin-auf-die-wahl/100252477.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "In Sachsen-Anhalt, the CDU suffered significant losses in the state election, prompting discussions in the Union about possible government formations without the AfD. CDU leader Thorsten Frei stated that the party must find ways to ensure a stable government for the state and that those who can bring together a majority would have the government mandate. He emphasized that it is not time to duck the issue.\n\nSachsen-Anhalt's Ministerpräsident Michael Kretschmer called for a period of self-criticism for the party and urged the CDU to carefully consider how to proceed. He hoped that the election would not lead to further discussions but that they would finally understand what moves the people and why they voted the way they did. Kretschmer expressed annoyance that this had not happened in previous years.\n\nThe SPD, on the other hand, announced reforms to its policy agenda in response to the election results in Sachsen-Anhalt. Party leader Lars Klingbeil said the election was a \"signal to Berlin\" and a \"reason to discuss politics here in Berlin.\" The SPD emphasized contentious issues such as pension reforms, care reform, and the federal budget, particularly the planned abolition of the flat-rate pension after 45 years of contributions. SPD spokeswoman Bärbel Bas stated that the party would continue to fight for affordable living for people. A special party congress or debates on the party leadership were not considered urgent at this time. The focus is on the AfD's success and more significant issues.\n\nAfD leader Tino Chrupalla said his party would be willing to make compromises in a government formation in Sachsen-Anhalt, including with other parties. The AfD would consider compromises on some issues, such as economic and migration policy and reducing bureaucracy. He urged all parties to discuss potential compromises. Chrupalla also called on the CDU to change its course and mentioned that he was holding talks with CDU federal and state lawmakers.\n\nThe BSW (Bündnis für eine Soziale Deutsch) praised its recent electoral success and called for a \"political reboot\" in Sachsen-Anhalt. Party founder Sahra Wagenknecht listed several reforms she wanted to see, such as a change in energy policy, an end to Russia sanctions, better education, and a fundamental reform of the public broadcasting system. Wagenknecht emphasized that the BSW would use their majority to improve people's lives. The BSW leader was pleased with the results. International reactions were mixed, with Elon Musk congratulating the AfD on their win and offering a cooperation deal, Elon Musk stated \"Good made\" on his X platform. Italian right-wing Lega leader Matteo Salvini also congratulated the AfD, calling it an \"overwhelming success\" and a \"curse for the left who have sown fear and painted a doomsday scenario.\" Austrian right-wing FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl saw the AfD's result in Sachsen-Anhalt as the end of the \"anti-democratic fortress\" built by the elite against the people. Lastly, French left-populist Jean-Luc Melenchon called the AfD's win in Sachsen-Anhalt a \"disaster,\" saying the extreme right has returned to Germany.",
  "summary": "Die Koalition diskutiert nach dem AfD-Wahlsieg in Sachsen-Anhalt über die Richtung der Koalition. Mächtige Fürsprecher im Ausland gratulieren, doch es gibt auch kritische Stimmen.",
  "key_points": [
    "CDU in Sachsen-Anhalt suffered significant losses in state election",
    "Union leader Thorsten Frei called for stable government formation",
    "SPD announced policy reforms and urged political discussion"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The CDU's significant losses in Sachsen-Anhalt signal a need for self-reflection and potentially a shift in strategy to form a stable government, while the SPD and other parties respond with calls for reform and change.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}