AfD wins historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt state election with 44-44.5% of vote
Quick Look
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party secured a record 44-44.5% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt state parliament elections, according to exit polls, marking its best-ever result in a German state and a 23.7-point increase from 2021, while CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP all suffered significant losses.
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Why It Matters
The AfD has been gaining support in eastern German states in recent years, while traditional parties like CDU and SPD have seen declining vote shares in regional elections.
BERLIN, September 6. /TASS/. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is securing a clear victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament (Landtag) elections, winning 44-44.5 % of the vote, according to exit polls conducted for the ARD and ZDF television channels.
This is the best result the AfD has ever achieved in a German state in its entire history. Compared to the 2021 election, the party improved its result by 23.7 percentage points.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union came second, having lost half of its vote share compared to 2021. The Christian Democrats secured only around 18.5% of the vote, the worst result for the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt. Third are The Left, which secured around 9-9.5% of votes. The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) was supported by only 8-9% of voters, which is also its worst result in the region. The Greens have also secured a place in the state’s parliament with around 8.5-9%. BSW (formerly known as Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance - Reason and Justice party) is garnering 4.8-5% of votes and still has a chance to make it to the state parliament. The Free Democratic Party received only around 2-2.5% of the vote and will lose its seats in the state parliament.
The voter turnout was 80%.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The AfD will seek to join or lead a coalition government in Saxony-Anhalt
Likely · Within weeks
The CDU will undergo internal leadership debate following its worst-ever result in Saxony-Anhalt
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the AfD be able to form a governing coalition in Saxony-Anhalt?
- How will this result affect federal politics and the upcoming national election?
- What specific policies is the AfD likely to pursue in the state government?
