AfD Heads for a Stunning Victory as CDU Suffers a Rout

The far-right Alternative for Germany was heading for a spectacular victory in Saxony-Anhalt, according to exit polls, with nearly 45 percent of the vote. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union, led in the state by Minister-President Sven Schulze, followed with just over 18 percent.

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A historic result.

The Social Democrats, Greens and Left Party were also expected to enter the state parliament. The populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance was hovering around the five-percent threshold, making its final result potentially important for the formation of a government.

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel called the result "a historic result" and said voters had given her party a clear mandate to lead Saxony-Anhalt. Lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund said the party had achieved its goal and, despite earlier campaign statements against cooperation, said it could work with parties that shared its positions.

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We will see what the evening will still bring.

The CDU reacted with disappointment, with party figures describing the result as a major blow. Siegmund said the election was about more than Saxony-Anhalt, saying it also concerned Germany and Europe. Coalition-building will have to wait until election officials count all ballots, including postal votes.

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It is about our future and not our past.

Turnout was notably high. More than 65 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots by 2 p.m., compared with 27.1 percent at the same point in 2021. Final turnout in 2021 was 60.3 percent. Before voting, Schulze said the election concerned "our future and not our past," but later urged caution until the results were known.

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It is not only about Saxony-Anhalt, but about Germany and Europe.