Live blog for the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt

Significantly higher voter turnout than five years ago

There is great interest in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. The voter turnout was 34.7 percent by 12 p.m., as state returning officer Christa Dieckmann announced in Magdeburg. In the previous state election in 2021, 22.4 percent of voters had cast their votes by midday; in the 2016 state election it was 25.0 percent at that time.

Voting began at around 2,130 polling stations at 8 a.m. sharp. “Over the course of the morning, the election business was carried out smoothly,” explained the state returning officer. “There were no disproportionate waiting times identified.”

Voter in Magdeburg: “Hope there will be a good result”

In Magdeburg, today's state elections are hard to miss. New voters are constantly arriving in front of a polling station in the Stadtfeld-Ost district. One young voter said he was “somewhat optimistic” about the day given the latest polls. An older voter added: “I hope that there will be a good result today.”

Large police presence at the election

The police are accompanying this election Sunday with a large contingent. Not only all available state police forces, but also police officers from other federal states are deployed in Saxony-Anhalt.

CDU top candidate Sven Schulze also voted

The incumbent Prime Minister cast his vote together with his wife at a polling station in Magdeburg. He emphasized that he hoped for a high voter turnout.

SPD top candidate Armin Willingmann casts his vote

Armin Willingmann, the SPD's top candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, voted with his wife at the polling station in Wernigerode.

AfD top candidate Ulrich Siegmund has voted

Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's top candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, cast his vote in his hometown of Tangermünde. Shortly before he cast his vote, there was an emergency medical intervention in front of the polling station; a man had to be resuscitated.

AfD also wants to take government responsibility with a narrow majority

At the end of the state election campaign, the AfD confirmed its desire to take over the government. Top candidate Ulrich Siegmund said: “Of course we will assume government responsibility with a majority of one vote.”

Interior Ministry plans protective shield against Russian sabotage

After the failed drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt wants to take tougher action against Russian acts of sabotage and set up a comprehensive protective shield against further attacks. Quickly deployable units in strategically important cities are planned.