Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured a historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, dealing a major blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
The AfD won 43.8% of the vote, more than twice the CDU’s 17.2%, according to preliminary official results. The result represents the strongest performance by the AfD in the eastern German state and puts the party within reach of forming its first state government in post-war Germany.
.webp "Saxony-Anhalt Election Results: Merz ‘Deeply Shocked’ as Far-Right AfD Scores Historic Win")
Merz ‘deeply shocked’ by result
Merz acknowledged the scale of the defeat, describing himself as deeply shocked and warning that the result should not be viewed simply as a regional setback.
The chancellor said the election had shaken the CDU and highlighted the need for political reform, while reaffirming his opposition to cooperating with the AfD.
The defeat is particularly damaging for Merz because the CDU has governed Saxony-Anhalt for many years. The party’s support has now fallen to less than half of its 2021 result, increasing pressure on the chancellor over his leadership and the performance of Germany’s federal government.
AfD falls short of outright majority
Despite its huge lead, the AfD did not win enough seats to govern alone.
The state parliament has 83 seats, meaning 42 are required for an absolute majority. The AfD secured 39 seats, leaving it three short of the threshold.
AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund has indicated that his party is prepared to explore possible arrangements with other political forces. However, Germany’s established parties have traditionally maintained a so-called “firewall” against cooperation with the AfD.
That leaves Saxony-Anhalt facing a period of political uncertainty as parties consider how a new government can be formed.
Election sends wider warning across Europe
The result has attracted attention well beyond Germany. Merz warned that the rise of the AfD could have international consequences, particularly because Germany remains Europe’s largest economy and a central political power within the European Union.
The victory is also being watched closely by other European governments as far-right and populist parties continue to gain support across parts of the continent. Reuters described the result as a warning to European governments facing economic frustration, high energy costs and declining confidence in established political parties.
International reactions have been mixed, with some right-wing political figures welcoming the AfD’s performance while others have expressed concern about the implications for Germany and Europe.
What happens next?
The immediate challenge is determining whether the AfD can build a governing majority despite remaining short of the required seats.
For Merz, the election represents another major test of his political authority. The CDU must now decide how to respond to the growing AfD vote without abandoning its refusal to cooperate with the far-right party.
The Saxony-Anhalt result is therefore more than a state-level election outcome. It has intensified Germany’s debate over immigration, the economy, national security and the future direction of mainstream conservative politics — while raising questions about how far the AfD’s momentum could extend in future elections.