AfD Leads in Saxony-Anhalt Elections, Faces Uncertainty in Forming Government

Ulrich Siegmund, a leading candidate for the “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) party, cast his vote at a polling station during the Saxony-Anhalt state elections held in Tangermuende, eastern Germany, on Sunday, September 6, 2026.

In the state capital of Magdeburg, the AfD party has emerged as a front-runner in a regional election. Despite a strong showing, it remains uncertain if the party can establish Germany’s first far-right state government since World War II. Exit polls conducted on Sunday indicated potential hurdles for the party.

Seeking an absolute majority in the Saxony-Anhalt state legislature, AfD aimed to govern independently. Such a result would break the “firewall” of mainstream parties refusing collaboration with AfD. Establishing a state government would mark a significant achievement in AfD’s 13 years of existence, especially during widespread dissatisfaction with the national government’s inability to revitalize the sluggish economy.

Success for AfD would pose a symbolic challenge to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose center-right party has governed Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years. According to exit polls by ARD and ZDF public television, AfD captured approximately 44% of the vote, more than doubling its previous performance in the region west of Berlin, with a population of 2.1 million.

Chancellor Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) witnessed a decline, polling at 18.5% and losing about half of its previous support. The Left Party is projected to finish third with roughly 9% of the vote. Both the center-left Social Democrats and Greens are expected to retain their presence in the state legislature with around 8%-9% each. Meanwhile, it is unclear whether the BSW party will surpass the 5% threshold required for legislative seats.

The exit polls suggest that AfD might fall marginally short of securing an absolute majority. Ulrich Siegmund, the charismatic 35-year-old AfD candidate for state governor, remarked to ARD, “We have written history.” He emphasized the voters’ call for change, noting that the unpopular Merz had inadvertently supported AfD’s campaign.

Franziska Hoppermann, the CDU’s national general secretary, acknowledged the election’s challenging outcome for their party. AfD holds the position as Germany’s largest opposition party and maintains significant influence in the country’s less prosperous eastern regions, including Saxony-Anhalt.