First projections in Saxony-Anhalt put AfD far ahead of CDU, majority unclear

The AfD won Saxony-Anhalt’s state election by a clear margin over the CDU in early ARD and ZDF projections, but it remained unclear whether the right-wing party had secured an outright majority.

The AfD reached more than 44%, more than doubling its 2021 result and recording its strongest performance in an election. The CDU fell to about 18.5%. The Left could become the third-largest group with at least 9%, while the SPD and Greens were each projected to win between 8% and 9%.

The BSW hovered near the five-percent threshold, while the FDP stood at 2% and appeared certain to leave the state parliament. The previous CDU-SPD-FDP government therefore lost its majority. CDU Minister-President Sven Schulze could still try to form a government with the SPD and Greens, potentially as a minority administration.

AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund has said he wants to govern alone if the party wins an absolute majority. The party prepared a government program rather than a conventional election platform and has announced radical changes in that eventuality. Siegmund has also ruled out a coalition, reinforcing the standoff around the political firewall that other parties have built against the AfD.