**Title: Germany's Far-Right AfD Claims Historic Victory in Saxony-Anhalt Elections**
**Date: September 7, 2026**
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has achieved a significant milestone in the recent elections for the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, garnering 43.8% of the vote, according to preliminary results. Despite falling three seats short of an outright majority in the 83-seat state parliament, the party is now poised to seek alliances with other political groups to form a government.
Beatrix von Storch, the deputy parliamentary leader of the AfD, stated that the party is "very, very close" to taking power and emphasized the importance of collaboration among political parties. "You cannot say I do not accept the vote of the people," she remarked, urging opponents to engage in discussions with the AfD. Historically, no far-right party has held control over a German state since World War II, making this election outcome particularly noteworthy.
The AfD's leader in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, echoed von Storch's sentiments, asserting that the party has received a "clear mandate to govern." The party is currently projected to secure 39 seats in the state parliament, with discussions already initiated with other political factions. Siegmund indicated that these negotiations could take days or even weeks to finalize.
In the context of the election, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which is the largest party in both the outgoing coalition and the federal government, received 17.2% of the vote. Von Storch noted that the AfD is in talks with members of the CDU, who she claims are "very, very unhappy with their own party."
One potential avenue for governance being considered is an informal agreement with the left-wing populist party BSW, which is projected to win five seats. The BSW shares some tough stances on migration and supports the importation of Russian gas, making it a possible ally for the AfD in forming a minority government.
While the AfD has expressed a willingness to engage with various parties, most political groups in Germany, with the exception of the BSW, have publicly refused to collaborate with the far-right party. This refusal raises concerns about the potential for political instability, with von Storch warning that a lack of cooperation could lead to "severe chaos" and possibly another election.
The AfD's rise in Saxony-Anhalt is part of a broader trend, as the party has been leading national opinion polls, surpassing both Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling conservatives and the Social Democrats. The party has a strong base in eastern Germany, where it previously won the 2024 state election in neighboring Thuringia, although it did not secure enough seats to govern at that time.
Among the AfD's controversial policies is a plan for "remigration," which critics interpret as a strategy for mass deportations of migrants. The party, however, contends that this policy targets criminals and individuals residing in the country illegally.
As the situation develops, the political landscape in Saxony-Anhalt and potentially across Germany may shift significantly, depending on the outcomes of ongoing negotiations and the willingness of other parties to engage with the AfD. The implications of the AfD's electoral success could resonate throughout Europe, as the party's rise reflects a growing trend of right-wing populism across the continent.
The coming weeks will be crucial as the AfD seeks to solidify its position and navigate the complex dynamics of coalition-building in a landscape where many parties remain resistant to collaboration with the far-right.