The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party secured 44% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on September 6, marking its strongest-ever result in a regional poll and raising the possibility of forming Germany’s first far-right state government since World War II. The party fell three seats short of an outright majority in the 83-seat legislature but now seeks support from other parties to govern.
The election outcome has triggered mass protests across Germany, with thousands demonstrating in cities including Berlin, where organizers reported more than 14,000 attendees opposing the AfD’s rise. Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) described the result as a “seismic” defeat and admitted his party was “deeply shocked.” The CDU, which holds the national ruling coalition, won just 17% of the vote in the state—a historic low.
Trump praises AfD victory
Former U.S. President Donald Trump celebrated the AfD’s win on Truth Social, attributing the result to voter frustration over Germany’s immigration policies. He wrote: “Wow! The Populist Party in Germany just had a really big night. They finally got tired of the absolutely horrible Immigration rules and regulations which have hurt Germany so badly. THEY ARE ON THE RISE, and not going to take it anymore!”
Immediate Reactions and Political Fallout
Protests erupt amid concerns over far-right governance
Thousands gathered in Berlin, Potsdam, and other cities to oppose the AfD’s electoral momentum, with demonstrators carrying signs against racism and fascism. Jens-Christian Wagner, director of the Buchenwald concentration camp memorial, called the result a “disgrace” and warned against accepting an AfD-led government “in silence.”
Merz acknowledges defeat and calls for reforms
Merz, whose CDU suffered its worst electoral defeat in decades, ruled out cooperation with the AfD but acknowledged the result had “shaken [his party] to its very foundations.” He emphasized the need for his government to reconnect with voters, stating he would continue with his reform agenda despite the setback.
AfD seeks governing coalition
The AfD, which has been monitored by German intelligence as a “proven right-wing extremist organization,” now aims to form a government in Saxony-Anhalt by securing support from smaller parties. The party’s Ulrich Siegmund, the top candidate, celebrated the victory as a “historic moment” for German politics.
Context and Broader Implications
Economic and migration concerns fuel AfD’s rise
Analysts cite voter dissatisfaction with Germany’s economic stagnation, high energy prices, and immigration policies as key factors in the AfD’s success. A survey by Infratest dimap found that only 9% of Saxony-Anhalt voters viewed Merz positively, reflecting broader disillusionment with the CDU and the ruling coalition.
EU leaders express alarm
The election has drawn attention from European leaders, with allies of French President Emmanuel Macron calling for a coalition to block the far-right from gaining further power. The AfD’s pro-Russia stance has also raised concerns among Western allies about Germany’s political stability.
AfD’s trajectory ahead of 2024 elections
The Saxony-Anhalt result sets the stage for upcoming state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the AfD is expected to make further gains. Political observers warn that the party’s momentum could reshape Germany’s political landscape ahead of federal elections in 2025.
The AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt represents the largest share of the vote for a far-right party in Germany since World War II, signaling a potential shift in the country’s political dynamics. While the party has yet to secure an outright majority, its performance has intensified debates over immigration, governance, and the future of German democracy.