Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has achieved a historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, held on September 6, 2026. The party won around 44% of the vote, more than doubling its result from the previous state election and finishing well ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
The CDU suffered a major setback, receiving only around 17–18%, compared with more than 37% in the previous election. The AfD’s strong performance reflects growing dissatisfaction with Germany’s established political parties, particularly over immigration, economic concerns and the direction of national policy.
However, the AfD fell short of an outright majority in the 83-seat state parliament. It won roughly 39 seats, leaving it three seats short of the 42 required for a majority. Other major parties have maintained their refusal to form a governing coalition with the AfD, making the formation of a government uncertain.
The result is being closely watched across Germany and Europe because it represents one of the strongest state-level performances by the AfD since its formation and highlights the party’s growing influence, particularly in eastern Germany.
News as Reported.
