MAGDEBURG, Germany (AP) — The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was projected to win a significant victory in a regional election held on Sunday, but it remains uncertain whether the party will be able to establish the first far-right state government in Germany since World War II.
The party's candidate for governor, Ulrich Siegmund, 35, described the outcome as a historic achievement and indicated that Chancellor Friedrich Merz's unpopularity had aided his campaign. Siegmund stated to ARD public broadcaster, "we have written history," and emphasized that voters had sent a message that "things cannot carry on like this."
He added, "It was also a signal toward Berlin," referring to Merz, and remarked, "A very good campaigner for us in this election campaign was Friedrich Merz. Every day this man is in the chancellery is one too many."
AfD entered the election aiming for an absolute majority in the state legislature, which would allow it to govern independently, overcoming the mainstream parties' refusal to collaborate with them. However, it was unclear after polls closed whether this goal would be achieved.
A victory would represent a significant milestone for AfD in its 13-year history, particularly amid widespread dissatisfaction with the national government, which has struggled to address economic concerns.
The projected results pose a challenge for Merz's center-right party, which has governed Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years. Unlike other European nations, Germany has not yet seen a far-right or right-wing populist party in control of a national, state, or major city government.
AfD's regional branch in Saxony-Anhalt is classified by the domestic intelligence agency as a right-wing extremist group, a designation the party disputes.
Projections from ARD and ZDF public television, based on exit polls and early counting, indicate that AfD received approximately 44% of the vote, significantly higher than its 2.1% share five years ago in the region of 2.1 million people west of Berlin. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Merz, is projected to receive around 18.5%, losing nearly half its previous support. The Left Party, Social Democrats, and Greens are each expected to secure about 9% of the vote.
It remains uncertain whether the BSW party will achieve the 5% threshold required to gain representation. Although projections suggest AfD may fall short of an absolute majority, this could change as final counts are completed.
Alice Weidel, AfD's national co-leader, characterized the projected outcome as "sensational" and claimed the party has received a clear mandate to govern. She stated, "Our hand is outstretched to all who want to make Saxony-Anhalt better and move Germany forward."
Incumbent governor Sven Schulze expressed disappointment but congratulated AfD on becoming the state's leading political force, acknowledging that the CDU must address this result without detailing how.
Franziska Hoppermann, the national general secretary of the CDU, described the results as "very difficult" and reiterated the party's stance against collaborating with AfD.
Germany's 16 states possess significant powers, including oversight of security and education. Siegmund has outlined priorities such as increasing deportations of illegal immigrants and reducing incentives for migration. He also aims to withdraw Saxony-Anhalt from the regional public broadcaster due to concerns about disinformation.
AfD in Saxony-Anhalt advocates for allowing home schooling, which is currently prohibited in Germany, and seeks to ban schools from displaying the rainbow flag while ensuring the national flag is flown. The party opposes financial support to Ukraine and advocates for lifting sanctions against Russia, although these issues are beyond the jurisdiction of state governments.