AfD wins near‑majority in Saxony‑Anhalt, sparking shock across Germany
The Alternative for Germany secured about 44% of the vote in the Saxony‑Anhalt state election, falling short of an absolute majority but leaving open the possibility of forming a government. Former chancellor Angela Merkel described the result as simply shocking and a historic cut in Germany's democratic trajectory, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the outcome a deep shock and noted his personal approval rating is at a historic low.
The Social Democratic Party partners are urging a re‑examination of pension, care and budget reforms proposed by the governing coalition. A poll of foreign‑born residents in the state found that more than six‑tenths feel concerned or extremely concerned about the political shift. In a separate development, CDU minister Sven Schulze won a tight internal vote, replacing Guido Heuer.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 15h later
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The election reshapes Germany's political landscape, threatens the ruling coalition’s reform agenda and raises anxiety among immigrant communities about future policies.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage stresses the AfD win as part of a broader far-right surge and a source of fear for minorities, while center coverage focuses on the shock to the CDU and the political fallout in Germany, and right-leaning coverage frames the result as a democratic crisis and blames Chancellor Merz’s leadership.
LEFT
The election is portrayed as fueling a Europe-wide far-right surge and sparking fears of racism and democratic backsliding.
CENTER
The result is depicted as a shocking defeat for the CDU/Merz that destabilises German politics and raises questions about coalition options and the “firewall” against the far-right.
RIGHT
The outcome is framed as a democratic setback and a repudiation of Merz’s strategy, with calls for his resignation and warnings about the erosion of centrist barriers.
The left emphasises
- AfD’s strong showing fuels far-right momentum across Europe
- Foreign residents fear rising racism and threats to democratic norms
- Scholars note an uneven far-right landscape and label the Saxony-Anhalt branch extremist
The right emphasises
- Merkel and others label the victory a democratic setback
- AfD surge challenges CDU strategy and highlights exclusionary politics
- Calls for Merz’s resignation and criticism of his leadership
How this story developed
- Aug 23 Merz warns AfD win in Saxony-Anhalt could scare off foreign investors
- Sep 8 Günter Krings, a member of the German Bundestag, described the recent Saxony-Anhalt vote as far worse than expected, with the AfD securing 43.8% of the ballots. He argued the CDU should not entertain discussions about replacing Chancellor Friedrich Merz so soon after the far-right's victory. Krings urged the party to focus on rebuilding its credibility and blamed EU decisions for part of voter anger. The CDU’s share fell to 17.2%, roughly half of its previous support.
- Sep 8 CDU leaders proposed a working group to study a possible ban of the AfD.
- Sep 9 Former US president Donald Trump praised the Alternative for Germany (AfD) after its impressive result in Saxony-Anhalt, blaming the country's immigration policies.
- Sep 9 Trump posted a congratulatory message to the AfD on Truth Social after the Saxony‑Anhalt results.
- Sep 9 Merz and AfD leader Alice Weidel clashed in a Bundestag budget debate following the Saxony‑Anhalt result.
- Sep 10 Claudia Obert resigned from the CDU and Tino Schomann publicly demanded Merz’s resignation.
- Sep 11 AfD top candidate Ulrich Siegmund said weapons from a potential Elbit Systems plant could support upcoming deportation efforts, sparking criticism.
- Sep 11 Only the BSW agreed to talks as all other parties declined, and Chancellor Merz rebuked Donald Trump’s congratulatory post.
- Sep 11 Indikator poll shows the centre-left opposition narrowly ahead of the governing coalition by 3.2 points.
- Sep 12 Kristersson told supporters that a right‑wing victory would bring the Sweden Democrats into his government.
- Sep 12 BSW chairman Fabio de Masi publicly denounced Siegmund's remarks.
- Sep 12 Markus Söder publicly rejected calls to replace Chancellor Merz.
- Sep 13 Sven Schulze replaced Guido Heuer as CDU minister after a close internal vote.
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