Voting opens in Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt as AfD seeks historic victory

The Alternative for Germany opened election day in Saxony-Anhalt with a chance to make an unprecedented breakthrough in postwar Germany. The far-right party is seeking control of the former East German state, a result that would further weaken Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Polling gives the AfD, led by 35-year-old social media figure Ulrich Siegmund, 41% support. That is nearly twice its 2021 score and almost 20 points ahead of Merz’s conservatives. Yet the party is not guaranteed an absolute majority. Its ability to take charge of the state will depend in part on how many parties enter the regional parliament.

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I am very worried.

About 1.7 million voters were eligible to cast ballots. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and were due to close at 6 p.m., with initial estimates expected soon afterward. The campaign unfolded amid intense polarization and growing concern among the foreign-born population.

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Regardless of the results, the atmosphere among people will change. Far-right supporters will show themselves more openly in the streets.

In Magdeburg, the regional capital, about 6,000 people demonstrated peacefully on Saturday, according to police, under the banner of an open-minded Saxony-Anhalt. Rainbow flags and signs calling for “a better life without Nazis” filled the protest. “I am very worried,” Laura Saalfeld told AFP, warning that far-right supporters could become more visible and that conflicts between citizens could increase regardless of the result.

Police reinforcements were planned throughout the weekend because authorities feared clashes involving far-right and far-left groups, particularly after the vote. Political scientist Wolfgang Schroeder said an AfD victory would intensify criticism of Merz within conservative ranks.

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If the AfD wins the election, criticism of Merz will intensify within conservative ranks.