AfD celebrates state election win in Germany
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
AfD won 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt state election on Sep 6, 2026. First far-right state win since WWII shakes Germany's postwar order.
Background
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won a historic victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, securing 43.8% of the vote, more than double its 2021 result. This marks the first time since World War II that a far-right party has become the strongest force in a German state parliament, though it fell short of an outright majority. The result is seen as a major blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU, which lost half its support in the state, and raises questions about the future of Germany's political center and its postwar consensus against far-right governance.
How it unfolded
- Sep 6, 2026Exit polls project AfD leading with around 43.8-44.5% in Saxony-Anhalt state election, ahead of CDU.
- Sep 6, 2026AfD leaders celebrate in Magdeburg, with top candidate Ulrich Siegmund and co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla.
- Sep 7, 2026Official results confirm AfD won 43.8%, making it the strongest party in the state, but without a majority.
Who’s saying what
- AfD
- Alice Weidel called the result 'sensational' and said the party's 'hand is outstretched to all who want to make Saxony-Anhalt better and move Germany forward.'
- CDU
- State premier Reiner Haseloff congratulated AfD on becoming the strongest force but said 'we as the CDU will also have to deal with this result,' without specifying how.
- CDU national
- CDU general secretary Franziska Hoppermann rejected any cooperation with AfD, saying the party would not back off its refusal to deal with them.
- Analysts
- Analysts view the result as a harbinger of further far-right victories across Europe, echoing nationalist movements in France, Britain, Italy, and Spain.
Still unverified
Claims by AfD that accusations of extremism are politically motivated are disputed; Germany's intelligence agency classifies the party as 'far-right extremist'.