Alternative for Germany wins regional vote but misses absolute majority
The AfD has become the strongest political force in Saxony-Anhalt after a historic regional victory, though it fell just three seats short of an absolute majority.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a historic regional victory in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, becoming the first far-right party in the state’s history to top election results. However, the party fell three seats short of an absolute majority, leaving the path to governance uncertain and triggering a broader reckoning with Germany’s political landscape.
AfD’s Historic Surge in Saxony-Anhalt
The AfD, Germany’s largest opposition party, captured 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, a state of 2.1 million people, according to preliminary results. This marked more than double its share from the 2021 regional elections and cemented its position as the strongest political force in the region. The party won 39 of 83 seats in the state parliament, narrowly missing the 42 needed for a majority. Its candidate for governor, Ulrich Siegmund, declared the result a “mandate to govern,” though he ruled out forming a minority government.
The election outcome has intensified scrutiny of Germany’s 13-year-old “firewall” — a consensus among mainstream parties to avoid collaboration with the AfD, which is classified as an extremist group in parts of the country. The party’s anti-immigration stance, pro-Russia leanings, and calls for “remigration” (deportation of immigrants) have long drawn criticism, yet its appeal has grown amid economic stagnation and public discontent.
| Party | Vote Share | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative for Germany (AfD) | 43.8% | 39 |
| Christian Democratic Union (CDU) | 17.2% | 15 |
| Social Democrats | 9.3% | 8 |
| Greens | 8.9% | 8 |
| Left Party | 8.6% | 8 |
| BSW | 5.3% | 5 |
Coalition Challenges and Political Uncertainty
The AfD’s near-majority has left Germany’s political establishment scrambling to determine its next steps. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s center-right CDU, which had governed Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years, saw its support halved, securing 17.2% of the vote. Merz’s party has vowed to maintain the firewall, with CDU officials rejecting any collaboration with the AfD. However, forming a stable government without the party would require an unprecedented coalition of the Social Democrats, Greens, Left Party, and BSW — a bloc unlikely to align on core policies.
Meanwhile, the BSW, a hard-left party with 5.3% of the vote, has signaled openness to working with the AfD. The two parties share a Russia-friendly stance and anti-immigration positions, though they diverge on social policies. Political analyst Volker Resing noted that the BSW could act as a “kingmaker,” potentially enabling the AfD to govern with minimal support. “It is still unclear whether the parties will join forces based on their common view toward Russia,” Resing said.
The AfD’s strategy hinges on attracting defectors from other parties. With only three additional votes needed for a majority, the party has already begun reaching out to lawmakers across the spectrum. Ulrich Siegmund emphasized his willingness to “reach out to all other parties and individual lawmakers” to assemble a governing coalition.
International Reactions and Domestic Tensions
The election has drawn sharp international responses. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned AfD supporters as “idiots and traitors,” while Spanish and Portuguese far-right leaders praised the result. In contrast, France’s media reported global reactions, including criticism of the AfD’s policies, though no specific statements from French officials were cited in the sources.
Domestically, the AfD’s victory has deepened divisions. While the party claims to represent “political change,” critics argue it threatens Germany’s post-Nazi democratic norms. The domestic intelligence agency has labeled Saxony-Anhalt’s AfD branch a right-wing extremist group, citing members’ anti-Muslim rhetoric and ties to Nazi symbolism. The party denies these allegations, calling them politically motivated.
The election also highlighted voter frustration with the current government. High turnout of 77.8%, the highest in the state since German reunification, reflected a desire for alternatives. Many AfD supporters cited economic stagnation and perceived failures of mainstream parties as reasons for their shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt significant?
The AfD’s 43.8% vote share marks its strongest regional showing yet, positioning it as the first far-right party in modern German history to come close to governing. The result challenges the country’s longstanding “firewall” against far-right cooperation and raises questions about the viability of mainstream parties’ exclusion strategy.
Can the AfD form a government in Saxony-Anhalt?
The party lacks an absolute majority but could govern with the support of the BSW or defectors from other parties. However, forming a stable coalition remains uncertain, as mainstream parties have vowed to maintain the firewall. The outcome will test Germany’s political resilience to far-right influence.
The next weeks will determine whether the AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt signals a broader shift in German politics or a temporary surge. With coalition negotiations set to begin, the state’s 2.1 million residents now face a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic trajectory. As Chancellor Merz’s government faces mounting pressure, the world watches to see if Germany’s “firewall” can withstand the latest challenge from the far right.
Dateline Wire is dedicated to independent, evidence-backed reporting. This briefing was synthesized from primary source reporting, corroborated across independent newsrooms, and verified against our Editorial Standards.
