Far-right AfD wins almost 44% of votes in state election in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Leaders in Europe demonstrated this Monday (7) about the first victory of the extreme right in an election in Germany since the end of the Second World War.

The results of the polls in Saxony-Anhalt turned the tide in German politics. In one of the smallest states in the country, which is in the territory of the former East Germany and has just over 2 million inhabitants, a far-right party won almost 44% of the vote. The Alternative for Germany, AfD, won 39 of the 83 seats in the state parliament - three short of an absolute majority.

"It is a very clear mandate to govern. This is the best result achieved by any party in Saxony-Anhalt since 1990", said the deputy who was the face of the AfD in this election.

German Chancellor says far-right victory in state election raises alarm in Europe — Photo: Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction

But winning does not mean governing. The main German parties refuse to cooperate with the AfD, which is seeking support to form a majority. The party advocates the deportation of immigrants and an end to support for Ukraine.

"It's not simply another victory for the AfD. We could see a fundamental change in the political system," said political analyst Oliver Lembcke.

The Christian Democratic Union, the party of Prime Minister Friedrich Merz, came in a distant second. Merz said the result sends a message to the European continent and the world.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that the threat is gaining ground on the continent. In Italy, an ally of Nazi Germany during the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, the result exposed a split in the government. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini celebrated. Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani called the victory “bad news.” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has already defended an ultra-conservative policy, did not comment.