AfD Wins Big in Saxony-Anhalt but Falls Short of Majority
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured a historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, dramatically changing the political landscape and putting Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government under renewed pressure.
The AfD received 43.8% of the vote, securing 39 of the 83 seats in the state parliament. Although the party emerged as the strongest political force, it fell three seats short of an outright majority.
The result represents a major increase from the party’s performance in the previous state election and marks the first time since the Second World War that a far-right party has come this close to controlling a German state government.
The centre-right CDU, which has governed Saxony-Anhalt for years, suffered a major setback, receiving just 17.2% of the vote and winning 15 seats. The Social Democrats, Greens and Left Party each secured eight seats.
AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund said the election had created a mandate for political change and indicated that his party would explore options for forming a government. However, Germany’s established parties have maintained their refusal to cooperate with the AfD.
Merz Under Pressure as European Leaders Warn of Far-Right Rise
The election has also created a difficult moment for Friedrich Merz, whose CDU suffered a sharp decline in support. German media reported that the chancellor held internal crisis discussions following the result as pressure mounted over the party’s electoral strategy and the continuing growth of the AfD.
The result has triggered strong reactions across Europe. French officials warned that the success of the German far right represented a serious challenge for Europe, while Poland’s leadership described the result as deeply concerning.
Italy has also seen contrasting reactions. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized the AfD’s success, while League leader Matteo Salvini welcomed the result and presented it as evidence of growing public demand for political change. Former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán likewise celebrated the AfD’s performance.
International right-wing figures, including Elon Musk and Donald Trump, also drew attention to the result, while a senior Russian official praised what he described as a major victory for the pro-Russia party.
The AfD has called for tougher immigration controls, changes to energy policy and a different approach to Germany’s support for Ukraine. Its growing popularity is therefore likely to influence political debates well beyond Saxony-Anhalt.
Wider European Tensions Add to Political Uncertainty
The German election comes as Europe faces several other politically sensitive developments.
The AfD’s victory has intensified discussion about the future direction of German politics, particularly as the party looks toward future national elections. Its leadership has already suggested that it expects to significantly increase its support in the next federal contest.
Meanwhile, attention in the Balkans has focused on the funeral of former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladić in Belgrade. Mladić, who was convicted of genocide and war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment, remains a deeply controversial figure. His funeral attracted thousands of supporters and renewed debate over the continued presence of nationalist sentiment in Serbia and the wider region.
European officials have also been watching developments surrounding Greenland, amid renewed international interest in the strategically important Arctic territory.
Together, these developments highlight a period of growing political uncertainty across Europe, with debates over nationalism, migration, security, Russia and the future of European democracy increasingly shaping the continent’s political agenda.
