Political Earthquake in Germany as AfD Scores Historic Victory in Saxony-Anhalt Election
Welat TV – Erbil
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured a historic victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, in what has been described as a political earthquake that could have significant implications for the country’s political landscape.
Preliminary results released on Monday, September 7, 2026, showed the AfD winning 43.8% of the vote, far ahead of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which came second with 17.2%. The result gives the AfD 39 seats in the 83-member state parliament, making it the largest political force in the state.
No Absolute Majority
Despite its sweeping victory, the AfD fell short of the absolute majority required to govern on its own. The party would need 42 seats for an outright majority, leaving the formation of the next state government uncertain.
Most other parties have ruled out cooperation or a coalition with the AfD under Germany’s political “firewall” against the far right. The AfD’s prospects of forming a government therefore remain unclear despite its commanding electoral performance.
Unprecedented Electoral Shock Since German Reunification
The election marked the AfD’s strongest performance ever in a German state election. Its result more than doubled the 20.8% it received in Saxony-Anhalt in 2021, while the CDU suffered a dramatic decline from 37.1% in the previous election.
The outcome represents a major setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his conservative CDU, which had dominated politics in the state since German reunification. Reuters described the result as a significant political upheaval, reflecting widespread voter dissatisfaction with the federal government and traditional political parties.
Voter turnout was also exceptionally high, reaching around 78–80%, compared with 60.3% in the 2021 state election.
Political Change and the Refugee Issue
AfD’s lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, described the result as “historic,” saying voters had sent a clear message in favor of political change.
The victory comes amid the party’s continued emphasis on immigration and asylum policy. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel has said the party intends, if it comes to power, to seek the return of large numbers of Syrian refugees to Syria, arguing that developments in Syria have changed the circumstances underlying their protection.
New Pressure on Refugees
The election is also expected to intensify concerns among refugee and migrant communities.
Although asylum and residence legislation remain primarily a federal responsibility in Berlin, state governments have significant administrative powers through local authorities, including foreigners’ offices. A stronger AfD presence at the state level could therefore influence the implementation of existing deportation decisions and policies affecting migrants.
The AfD has made tougher immigration controls one of the central pillars of its political platform, while mainstream parties continue to reject cooperation with the party.
Wide-Ranging State Powers
State parliament elections, known as Landtag elections, play a crucial role in shaping regional governance. State governments have substantial responsibilities in areas including education, policing, and other domestic affairs.
With the AfD now holding 39 of the 83 seats in Saxony-Anhalt’s parliament, the coming weeks are expected to focus on negotiations over how a government can be formed without an AfD-led coalition. The election has also intensified debate over the future direction of German politics and the country’s longstanding political firewall against cooperation with the far right.