A significant political shift is underway in the eastern region of Germany, as working-class and younger voters seem poised to grant an unexpected victory to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party during Sunday’s state elections in Saxony-Anhalt.
The AfD has garnered attention for its controversial stances, including claims of pro-Russia sentiments, and has faced scrutiny from Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, which labeled it a “right-wing extremist endeavor.” This election presents the AfD with a rare opportunity to become the first party outside of the mainstream center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) or the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to achieve a majority in a German state legislature since World War II.
Daniel Schatz, a political expert from Berlin, emphasized the importance of this election, stating, “The AfD is not just knocking on the door of power; they may be ready to push it open.”
Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s popular candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, has led the party to a remarkable 43% in recent polls, far surpassing other political groups. If the AfD wins, it would mark the first time the party has controlled a state government. No party besides the SPD or CDU has held a single-party majority in any German state since 1949.
Janek Treiber, a researcher at Dresden University, remarked that while the AfD’s influence on policy might be limited by Germany’s federal structure, the symbolic value of their potential win should not be underestimated. “It signifies a significant shift in power dynamics in a German state,” he noted.
Schatz described the AfD as a party that taps into voter frustration with the established political system, especially in the former East Germany. The party advocates for stricter immigration controls, a strong national identity, and a more lenient approach to Russia.
An AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt would disrupt the traditional political “firewall” in Germany, as other parties traditionally refuse to collaborate with the AfD. The party is currently the second-largest in the Bundestag after winning 20.8% of the vote in the federal election last February.
In a recent interview, Alice Weidel, the national co-chair of the AfD, criticized current immigration policies and called for the termination of refugee statuses for Syrians, asserting that many should return to their homeland due to changing conditions.
The upcoming elections in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, 2026, are critical, followed shortly by elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin. In May 2025, Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the AfD as a “confirmed right-wing extremist” group, a designation that was later challenged in court.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concerns about the potential impact of an AfD-led government on international investment and economic stability in Saxony-Anhalt.
Despite challenges, Siegmund remains popular, with substantial support on social media. Recent analyses indicate that younger voters, particularly those aged 18-25, have shown increased support for the AfD, driven by economic factors and rising living costs.
As Saxony-Anhalt approaches this pivotal moment, the implications of the AfD’s potential victory could ripple through the political landscape, influencing upcoming elections in neighboring states.
