Saxony-Anhalt election draws international attention

The Saxony-Anhalt state election quickly became an international story. Media outlets including the BBC, Al Jazeera’s English-language service, the Financial Times, The Times and The Telegraph prominently pushed early projections to readers.

The reports focused on the AfD’s strong showing and the CDU’s sharp decline. The Telegraph described the anti-migrant party as heading toward an overwhelming victory in eastern Germany. The Financial Times called an AfD win a breakthrough for the far right and a serious setback for Germany’s established parties.

“

Since the Second World War, no far-right party in Germany has ever taken control of a federal state.

The BBC stressed the historical significance of the projections, saying no far-right party had controlled a German state since the Second World War. It also noted that participation in a state government would give the party responsibility for areas including policing, education and culture.

“

The result, the best for the anti-immigration party since its founding in 2013, is a severe setback for the CDU under Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Several outlets framed the result as a personal blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The Times reported that Merz had been advised to largely avoid the campaign because his unpopularity could strengthen the AfD. It also said the CDU’s share of the vote had been cut in half compared with the 2021 state election, when the party narrowly held off the AfD.

Polish and Czech coverage portrayed the result as a possible political turning point for Germany. Rzeczpospolita wrote that the election reflected broader public concerns over distrust in the political class, declining living standards and problems in the German economy. Its report warned that further AfD victories in elections in two other eastern states, due in two weeks, could prove difficult for Merz to survive politically.

“

Germany is running out of time and money. It must admit that the model used so far no longer works.