AfD remains strongest force in Saxony-Anhalt poll three days before state election

Three days before Saxony-Anhalt votes, the AfD remains far ahead of every rival in the ZDF Politbarometer. The party, led by top candidate Ulrich Siegmund, reached 41%, one point higher than in the previous week.

The governing CDU, led by Minister-President Sven Schulze, stayed at 23%. The Left fell 1.5 points to 11.5%, while the SPD dropped half a point to 8.5%. The Greens remained at 6%. The BSW rose one point to 4%, still below the 5% threshold, and the FDP stood at 3%. Other parties together accounted for 3%.

A result matching the poll would prevent the AfD from governing alone. The more parties that enter the state parliament in Magdeburg, the less likely the party would be to win an absolute majority. Saxony-Anhalt’s state Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies the AfD’s state organization as confirmed far-right extremist. The current government consists of the CDU, SPD and FDP.

Forschungsgruppe Wahlen surveyed 1,044 eligible voters from September 1 to 3. ZDF described the poll as representative, with a margin of error of just over three points for a 40% share and just over two points for a 10% share, in either direction. Other surveys show a similar gap. An Infratest dimap poll for ARD in late August put the AfD at 42% and the CDU at 22%. The state parliament election takes place on Sunday.