Germany’s far-right *Alternative for Germany (AfD)* has emerged as the largest party in Saxony-Anhalt’s state election, bringing it closer to gaining power at the state level for the first time since World War II.
The AfD secured around *44% of the vote*, according to exit polls, delivering a major setback to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc and highlighting growing dissatisfaction with Germany’s ruling coalition.
AfD lead candidate *Ulrich Siegmund*, 35, described the result as historic and said voters had clearly demanded political change.
Siegmund has repeatedly presented the state election as a stepping stone towards the party’s goal of gaining national power in the 2029 federal election.
However, the AfD fell short of an outright majority, leaving uncertainty over whether it can form a state government. Germany’s mainstream parties have ruled out cooperating with the AfD.
The election drew a turnout of about *77%*, according to broadcaster ZDF.
The result is a significant blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose approval ratings have fallen amid dissatisfaction with his government and concerns over Germany’s sluggish economy.
An ARD poll found that *87% of voters in Saxony-Anhalt were dissatisfied with the federal government*.
Marcel Fratzscher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research, described the result as effectively a vote of no confidence in the federal government.
Merz has promised business-friendly reforms and increased spending to revive Europe’s largest economy. He had also warned that an AfD victory could harm Saxony-Anhalt’s economy and discourage foreign investment.
The AfD’s political path to power remains complicated because Germany’s mainstream parties have maintained a policy of refusing to form coalitions with it. The party has also been classified as right-wing extremist by the local office of Germany’s domestic intelligence service.
The small *Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW)* could enter the state parliament and has suggested a non-partisan premier supported by changing majorities, potentially including AfD votes.
Siegmund rejected the proposal, saying the AfD would not accept arrangements that prevented it from implementing its agenda. He suggested that fresh elections could be an option if no governing arrangement is possible.
The AfD is already Germany’s most popular party at the national level and has campaigned on strict immigration controls, closer ties with Russia, ending military support for Ukraine and leaving the euro.
Saxony-Anhalt, a former East German state with a population of just over two million, is relatively small politically. However, the result demonstrates the AfD’s rapid growth since its formation in 2013 and strengthens its ambitions to become a major force in German politics.
