Germany's Far-Right AfD Wins Big in Saxony-Anhalt, Falls Short of Majority
Germany's AfD wins regional election in Saxony-Anhalt with 43.8% but falls short of majority, triggering mixed reactions.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured a commanding victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, more than doubling its vote share from five years ago. The party won 43.8% of the vote, but fell short of an outright majority, leaving the question of government formation open.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party suffered a heavy defeat, polling just 17.2% — roughly half its previous support. The center-left Social Democrats took 9.3%, the Greens 8.9%, and the Left Party 8.6%. The BSW party, which has criticized the political "firewall" against the AfD, crossed the threshold with 5.3%.
Turnout was notably high at 77.8%, with the AfD appearing to attract many who had not voted in the previous election. The party's candidate for governor declared "we have written history," claiming a clear mandate to govern.
In Magdeburg, residents expressed shock and concern. Horst Walter Boerner, an 86-year-old who lived through World War II, called the result "terrible," describing the election as "fear-driven." Another resident, Julia Lukas, voiced worry about the treatment of immigrants who have settled and worked in the region.
The result has drawn international attention. Billionaire Elon Musk congratulated the AfD on his platform X, while U.S. President Donald Trump shared the election projection without comment. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, however, said only "idiots or traitors" would celebrate the outcome.
The election in Saxony-Anhalt, home to 2.1 million people, has been watched closely because modern Germany has not yet had a far-right party lead a state government since World War II.