07 / 10
AfD wins 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt
The AfD won the state election but lacks enough seats to govern alone.
What happened
The AfD won Saxony-Anhalt’s state election but fell short of an absolute majority. The CDU finished second after losses; the Left, Greens, SPD and BSW entered parliament, while the FDP did not. AfD leaders plan talks with all parties. Other parliamentary parties had ruled out coalition cooperation with the AfD before voting.
Numbers
- 43.8%AfD share in preliminary result — First place
- 39 of 83AfD seats in state parliament — Below a majority
- 77.8%Voter turnout in the election — Up from 2021
Questions
- Why can’t AfD govern alone?
- It holds the largest bloc but not a majority, so its candidate for state premier needs votes from outside the party.
- What will AfD do next?
- Its leaders plan to send invitations for talks this week, seeking support for an AfD-led government and a change in policy.
- Why does the outcome matter nationally?
- An AfD-led state government would be the party’s first at state level in post-war Germany, testing other parties’ refusal to cooperate.
- What if other parties refuse support?
- The remaining parties hold more seats combined than AfD, so an alternative governing majority is mathematically possible.
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Support and opposition
Who supports this, and why
AfD supporters — The result gives the party a mandate to lead the state and deliver a change in policy.
Who opposes this, and why
Social groups and unions — Minority rights and democratic protections need safeguarding if the AfD leads the state government.
The catch
The result does not determine who will become state premier or whether any party will provide support.
Talks have not produced an agreement.