On Sunday, September 6, elections to the state parliament will be held in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. According to the latest polls, the party "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) is confidently leading with a result of about 40–42 percent.
This gives it real chances for an absolute majority or a result close to it. In that case, AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund, a 35-year-old politician, could become the first governor from a far-right party in Germany after World War II.
The state with a population of about 2,2 million people is traditionally considered a stronghold of the AfD in the east of the country. The party advocates for tightening migration policy, deporting illegal immigrants, and leaving the eurozone. Its regional branch is classified by the German Office for the Protection of the Constitution as confirmed right-wing extremist.
The other parties — the CDU, SPD, the Left, and the Greens — adhere to the policy of a "firewall" and refuse to cooperate with the AfD. This could prevent the party from forming a government even with a strong result.
The current prime minister, Sven Schulze from the CDU, is trying to mobilize voters against the AfD. Polls show that the AfD is ahead of the CDU by 15–20 points.
A victory of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt would be a symbolic breakthrough for the party founded in 2013. How will this affect federal politics and other states where elections will also soon take place?
Analysts note that the success of the AfD reflects the disappointment of voters in the eastern states with traditional parties and the federal government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
