Key facts
- The AfD party won the Saxony-Anhalt state election with 43.8% of the vote.
- The AfD's victory is the first time a far-right party has led a state government in Germany since the Nazi era.
- The AfD candidate for governor, Ulrich Siegmund, aims to form a government.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) saw their support halved, polling 17.2%.
- French ministers expressed concern over the AfD's win, calling it a grave moment for Europe.
- Turnout for the election was high at 77.8%.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a historic first-place victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, securing 43.8% of the vote. This result marks the first time a far-right party has led a state government in Germany since the Nazi era, though the AfD fell just short of an outright majority, necessitating complex coalition talks.
AfD candidate for governor, Ulrich Siegmund, expressed his intention to implement political change based on the voters' mandate. The election dealt a significant blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU), which lost about half its support, falling to 17.2% after leading the state for 24 years. The Social Democrats, Greens, and Left Party each garnered around 9% of the vote, while the new BSW party secured 5.3%.
French ministers voiced strong concerns over the AfD's victory, labeling it a "worrying signal" and a "grave moment for Europe." In contrast, billionaire Elon Musk congratulated the party on its success. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, however, criticized the outcome, stating that only "idiots or traitors" could rejoice.
Coalition negotiations are expected to be challenging, with potential alliances involving the BSW party or a broad coalition of all other elected parties. The possibility of lawmakers defecting to the AfD to secure a majority also exists. The high turnout of 77.8% underscores the significance of the election, which has drawn considerable international attention due to Germany's historical context regarding far-right movements.