Poll shows majority in Saxony-Anhalt favor talks with AfD, while Union slips nationally
A new survey finds most respondents in Saxony-Anhalt support opening coalition talks with the AfD, and the CDU/CSU falls below the 20-percent threshold nationwide.
According to a recent ZDF spezial poll, a relative majority of citizens in Saxony-Anhalt believe that parties should entertain coalition talks with the AfD for forming a state government. Support for such talks is present even among CDU/CSU voters, though opposition parties like the SPD, Greens and Left display markedly higher rejection rates. A separate Infratest dimap survey shows the electorate almost evenly split on whether AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund should become minister-president, with a slight lean toward rejection.
Nationwide, the CDU/CSU’s popularity falls below the 20-percent threshold, while the AfD leads the latest Sunday question with 29 percent, ahead of the Union at 19.5 percent. The poll also reveals widespread discontent with the federal government, especially among Saxony-Anhalt residents, and a strong desire for the AfD to be more involved in political processes.
How this story developed
- Sep 6 AfD poised for historic win as Saxony-Anhalt election draws massive voter turnout
- Sep 6 The CDU publicly acknowledges a severe loss in the Saxony‑Anhalt election.
- Sep 7 Final seat projections released showing AfD with 39 seats and CDU with 16 seats.
- Sep 7 Final results confirm the Landtag has 83 members, the CDU holds 15 seats and the BSW secured five seats while signalling willingness to cooperate on selected issues.
- 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 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 A new Insa poll shows the CDU sliding sharply in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while the SPD narrows the gap with the AfD and smaller parties risk missing the threshold.
- Sep 10 Claudia Obert resigned from the CDU and Tino Schomann publicly demanded Merz’s resignation.
- Sep 11 Only the BSW agreed to talks as all other parties declined, and Chancellor Merz rebuked Donald Trump’s congratulatory post.
- Sep 11 A new poll confirms the AfD’s continued lead while the CDU’s support keeps slipping.
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