Far-right AfD wins historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt state election

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a significant victory in the state elections of Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, 2026. Preliminary results indicate the party secured approximately 43.8% to 44.4% of the vote, effectively doubling its support from the 2021 election. This result positions the AfD as the strongest political force in the state, falling just short of an absolute majority in the 83-seat parliament with 39 projected seats. The incumbent Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Sven Schulze, suffered a major defeat, falling to roughly 17.2% to 18.4% of the vote.

Political analysts attribute this surge to widespread dissatisfaction with the federal government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, specifically regarding immigration policies, economic insecurity, and Germany's stance on the war in Ukraine. The AfD, classified by domestic intelligence as right-wing extremist, campaigned on platforms calling for restrictive immigration and the restoration of ties with Russia. Voter turnout was notably high at 77 percent. As the AfD lacks an outright majority, it must now navigate complex coalition negotiations, though most mainstream parties have historically refused to cooperate with them. Chancellor Merz has described the result as a seismic shift, acknowledging that his party must address voters' profound concerns about the current reform agenda.