Germany’s far-right AfD seeks historic state election victory

Saxony-Anhalt is voting in an election that could give Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany its first state-level governing victory since World War II. The party has led surveys for months, and its 35-year-old candidate Ulrich Siegmund says it has already made history.

About 1.7 million voters can cast ballots until 6 p.m., with initial results expected soon after polls close. Recent surveys put the AfD at just over 40%, compared with 23% for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats, or CDU.

The AfD could win an absolute majority if smaller parties fail to clear Germany’s 5% threshold for entering parliament. That result would let it bypass the longstanding “firewall” through which mainstream parties refuse to cooperate with it. Germany’s proportional electoral system makes such a majority difficult, however, and is designed to encourage coalition governments.

“

No matter the outcome of tomorrow’s election, we have already made history.

If the AfD falls short, incumbent state premier Sven Schulze’s CDU is considered the most likely force to lead the next administration. The eventual coalition would depend on which smaller parties enter parliament, and talks could last for weeks.

At a final rally in Magdeburg, Siegmund said, “No matter the outcome of tomorrow’s election, we have already made history.” He added that what began in Saxony-Anhalt was “currently sweeping across all of Germany” and “can no longer be stopped.” The AfD says it would promote more traditional values in schools and cultural institutions, marginalise immigrants and overhaul public broadcasting. Siegmund has ruled out a coalition with other parties. The state security service has classified the AfD as far-right extremist.

“

What we have started here in Saxony-Anhalt, that is currently sweeping across all of Germany, can no longer be stopped.