The right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a significant victory in a regional election on Sunday, coming close to securing a majority to potentially establish the first far-right state government in Germany since World War II. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s party faced a disappointing outcome in Saxony-Anhalt.
The AfD, known for its anti-immigration stance and friendly approach towards Russia, celebrated its candidate for governor declaring that they had made history and obtained a strong mandate for governance. Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD candidate, emphasized that voters had signaled a need for change, highlighting Friedrich Merz’s role as a key campaigner.
Despite aiming for an absolute majority in the state legislature to govern independently and break the mainstream parties’ reluctance to collaborate with the AfD, the party fell three seats short, ending with 39 out of 83 seats. Siegmund ruled out the possibility of forming a minority government, raising questions about how their divided opponents could establish a stable government without their involvement.
The potential victory in Saxony-Anhalt would mark a significant milestone in the AfD’s history, reflecting the dissatisfaction with the national government’s economic performance. The election outcome poses a setback for Chancellor Merz, whose party has governed Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years. Unlike other European nations, Germany has not yet seen a far-right party leading at the national, state, or major city level.
The AfD, already a dominant force in national politics, aims to advance its agenda, including strict immigration controls, closer ties with Russia, reduced support for Ukraine, and exiting the Eurozone. Despite being labeled as right-wing extremist by domestic intelligence, mainstream parties have refused to cooperate with the AfD.
The AfD’s rise in Saxony-Anhalt underscores its rapid progress since its inception in 2013, making it Germany’s most popular party nationally. The party’s hardline policies and promise of change resonated with voters disillusioned with traditional politics, despite concerns of extremism and historical sensitivities in Germany.
The AfD’s platform includes promoting traditional values in education and culture, restricting immigration, reforming public broadcasting, and advocating for national symbols and language. Their proposals encompass banning certain symbols in schools, emphasizing the national flag, enhancing Russian language education, and opposing new wind farm constructions.