Why is the far-right AfD’s state victory significant and what might happen next in German politics?
Aftershocks of party’s win in Saxony-Anhalt will ripple across Germany, with two more state elections this month
TL;DR
- The AfD won 44% in Saxony-Anhalt, the largest far-right victory in a German state election since the Nazi period.
- This win puts the AfD in a strong position to potentially govern in the state, with broad powers over education, culture, and domestic security.
- The result challenges Chancellor Friedrich Merz's leadership and the strategy of excluding the AfD from power.
- Voter dissatisfaction with the economy and cost of living, rather than immigration, appeared to be the primary driver of the AfD's success.
- Upcoming state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are now seen as risky for the ruling coalition due to the AfD's momentum and general dissatisfaction with the government.