Germany's far-right AfD eyes historic state victory in Saxony-Anhalt election
Summary
Voters in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt will choose their state government in an election where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party may become the first far-right party to govern a state since World War II. The AfD is leading in polls, but it needs an absolute majority to take power without forming a coalition.Key Facts
- The Saxony-Anhalt state election is scheduled for Sunday, with the AfD polling ahead of other parties.
- The AfD is a far-right, anti-immigrant party led by 35-year-old Ulrich Siegmund.
- If the AfD wins an absolute majority, it would be the first far-right party to govern a German state since World War II.
- The AfD campaigns for deporting migrants, banning LGBTQ pride flags in public schools, and stopping new wind farms.
- Germany’s domestic intelligence agency calls the AfD’s Saxony-Anhalt chapter "right-wing extremist" with links to nationalist groups.
- The state's election is seen as a test for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government, whose Christian Democrats (CDU) are the second-largest party in polls.
- Germany’s voting system encourages coalition governments, so an AfD majority would be unusual.
- If the AfD does not get a majority, a CDU-led coalition under current state leader Sven Schulze is likely.
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