AfD cannot simply reject voters’ decision, deputy leader says

The AfD won 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, putting Germany’s far-right party just three seats short of an outright majority in the state parliament. Its strong showing delivered a major blow to the Christian Democratic Union, the party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s leader in Saxony-Anhalt, said the party had already entered talks with other parties about forming a new state government after the weekend election. The effort faces a major obstacle: most German parties have declared that they will not work with the AfD because of its hard-line positions, including on immigration.

Beatrix von Storch, the AfD’s deputy parliamentary group leader, called on the party’s opponents to join coalition discussions. “You cannot simply say, ‘I do not accept the voters’ decision,’” she said.

The election result leaves the AfD seeking partners despite its near-majority. The talks will test whether other parties maintain their refusal to cooperate after the party’s dominant performance in Saxony-Anhalt.

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You cannot simply say, ‘I do not accept the voters’ decision.’