AfD surge in Saxony-Anhalt piles pressure on Germany Chancellor Merz

Berlin,UPDATED: Sep 7, 2026 14:06 IST

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was under pressure on Monday after his party suffered a heavy defeat to the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, in a regional election in Saxony-Anhalt. The far-right party, which Germany's domestic intelligence agency classifies as an extremist group, fell just short of a majority in Sunday's vote but emerged far ahead of all rivals.

The result has opened the way for difficult coalition talks and could still lead to AfD heading a state government for the first time in modern Germany. AfD's candidate for governor, Ulrich Siegmund, said he wanted voters to get the change they had backed at the ballot box.

"Very clearly, we want voters finally to get after the election what they voted for," Siegmund told public broadcaster ZDF late on Sunday. "Over 44 per cent voted for political change... and that must be implemented after the election."

The vote is a setback for Merz, whose centre-right Christian Democrats, or CDU, had led the state for the past 24 years. The party's vote share was cut by about half, while AfD more than doubled its support. The result could also give momentum to AfD ahead of other state elections later this month. Merz was expected to comment later on Monday after meetings with party and government leaders.

AfD is known for its pro-Russian and strong anti-immigration positions. It is the biggest opposition party in Germany's national parliament and has its strongest support in the country's east, including Saxony-Anhalt, a state in the formerly communist and less prosperous part of Germany.

Coalition talks in the state are expected to be difficult and may take days or weeks. Leading a state government would be the biggest gain in AfD's 13-year history. Siegmund has ruled out an AfD minority government, but his party could in theory try to govern with the hard-left BSW party. The two sides share a Russia-friendly line and oppose immigration, though they differ on other issues.

A government that leaves AfD out would require all the other parties elected to work together: the CDU, Social Democrats, Greens, Left Party and BSW. Such a five-party coalition would be highly unusual and very complicated. Another possibility is that lawmakers from other parties could defect to AfD, which would need only three more members to secure a governing majority.

The election drew attention far beyond the state, even though Saxony-Anhalt is one of Germany's smaller states with a population of about 2.1 million. Unlike some other European countries, modern Germany has not had a far-right or right-wing populist party lead a national, state or major-city government. Because of Germany's Nazi past, far-right movements face strong scrutiny.

Not all reactions were critical. Billionaire Elon Musk congratulated AfD on X with the words, "Well done!" Siegmund thanked him in English, writing: "If we take on responsibility here, I would very much welcome the opportunity for strong and constructive cooperation. Germany would then once again be a place worth investing in. Best regards from Saxony-Anhalt!" US President Donald Trump posted a screenshot of the election projection on Truth Social without comment.

Others reacted sharply. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X on Monday morning: "In Poland, only idiots or traitors could rejoice the AfD triumph in Germany."

AfD won 43.8 per cent of the vote, more than double its share from five years ago. The CDU took 17.2 per cent and won 15 seats. The centre-left Social Democrats won 9.3 per cent, the Greens 8.9 per cent and the Left Party 8.6 per cent, with eight seats each. BSW took 5.3 per cent and five seats. The party has said it would not elect either Siegmund or incumbent governor Sven Schulze, but it has criticised the "firewall" against AfD.

Turnout was high at 77.8 per cent, and AfD appeared to win over many people who had not voted at all five years ago. The result has weakened Merz, strengthened AfD and set up complex coalition talks that are likely to take weeks before Saxony-Anhalt gets a new government.

With PTI Inputs

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