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

On September 6, 2026, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, according to exit polls. The party captured 44.4% of the vote, marking the first time a far-right party has positioned itself for potential governance at the state level in Germany since the Second World War. Voter turnout was reported at 77%, reflecting high engagement in a region known for its strong political dissatisfaction.

The incumbent Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Sven Schulze, saw its support collapse from 37.1% in 2021 to 18.4%. Other notable results include the Left party with 9.3%, the Greens with 8.7%, and the SPD with 8.4%, while the Free Democratic Party (FDP) failed to enter parliament with 2.2%. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) hovered near the 5% threshold. This result is widely viewed as a major setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s federal government, highlighting deep-seated public frustration over immigration, economic concerns, and foreign policy, particularly regarding support for Ukraine.

While the AfD has secured a clear victory, it is currently unclear if the party can successfully form a governing coalition. AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund stated that the result is a significant step toward national political power. Meanwhile, federal officials, including Nina Warken, described the outcome as a "watershed moment" but signaled that the federal administration intends to proceed with its reform agenda.