Voters in Saxony-Anhalt, a state of 2.1 million people, head to the polls on Sunday with 1.7 million eligible voters deciding between a historic AfD majority and a CDU‑led coalition. The far‑right AfD polls just over 40%, well above the 5% threshold, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU lags at about 23%. The result will serve as a barometer for Merz’s government and AfD’s push for national power in 2029.
Voting began at 08:00 local time with first projections expected shortly after the 18:00 close. The AfD’s 35‑year‑old leader Ulrich Siegmund, a telegenic figure, campaigns on a “remigration and deportation offensive,” a ban on rainbow flags in schools and an end to new wind farms. Germany’s domestic intelligence labels the Saxony‑Anhalt AfD chapter “right‑wing extremist” and links it to a 2023 secret meeting near Berlin where activists discussed forced expulsions.
If the AfD secures an outright majority it can bypass the long‑standing “firewall” that blocks cooperation with the party, allowing it to govern alone for the first time at the state level since World War II. A shortfall would likely produce a CDU‑led coalition under incumbent premier Sven Schulze, with weeks of talks to follow. The outcome also fuels AfD’s national ambitions ahead of the 2029 federal election.