AfD party wins state elections in Saxony-Anhalt
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, securing 43.8 percent of the vote. According to the preliminary final results of the September 6, 2026 election, the far-right political force gained 39 out of 83 seats in the state parliament. The party remains three mandates short of the absolute majority required to govern independently.
This marks the first instance since World War II that a far-right party has taken first place in a German state election. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, emerged as the main loser of the campaign. The CDU obtained only 17.2 percent of the vote, representing a severe decline in support compared to previous election cycles.
Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, declared the outcome historic and claimed the mandate to form a government. However, all other major German political groups continue to uphold a cordon sanitaire policy and refuse to enter into any coalition with the AfD. Germany’s domestic intelligence agency consistently classifies the party’s regional branch as a right-wing extremist organization.
The AfD’s political platform advocates for strict immigration limits, a reassessment of relations with Russia, and the cessation of support for Ukraine. This regional success increases political pressure on the federal government ahead of the upcoming national elections.
