Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:48am on 07 Sep 2026,Monday International
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt’s state election, finishing first and moving closer to potentially forming its first state government since World War Two. The result delivered a major setback to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives and added pressure on his ruling coalition. The AfD advocates strict immigration curbs, warmer ties with Russia, reduced support for Ukraine and leaving the euro. With 77% turnout, it remained unclear whether the party could form a government, as mainstream parties have refused cooperation. AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund called the result historic. The party is Germany’s most popular nationally, polling at 28% nationally in a recent INSA poll.
