The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is projected to win a strong victory in a regional election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The big question now is whether the party can form the country's first far-right state government since World War II.
The result is not final yet, and it remains unclear if the AfD will be able to turn its election win into actual power. But the party's candidate for governor, Ulrich Siegmund, 35, told public broadcaster ARD that "we have written history."
AfD regional election win sends message to Berlin
Siegmund said voters had sent a signal that "things cannot carry on like this." He added that the result was "also a signal toward Berlin," according to the original report.
The election is a major blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose party is set for a disastrous result in the state. Merz is described as Germany's unpopular leader, and the AfD's campaign appears to have capitalized on that discontent.
The AfD is known for its anti-migration stance and its friendly position toward Russia. These issues appear to have resonated strongly with voters in Saxony-Anhalt, a state in the east of the country.
What happens next for the AfD state government bid
The projection shows a strong win for the AfD, but forming a government is a separate challenge. In Germany, a party needs a majority in the state parliament to govern, and it is not yet clear whether the AfD can secure the support it needs.
If the party does manage to form a government, it would mark a historic shift — the first far-right state government in Germany since the end of World War II. That outcome would send shockwaves through the country's political establishment.
"We have written history." — Ulrich Siegmund, AfD candidate for governor, via ARD
For now, the focus is on the final vote count and the negotiations that will follow. The AfD's ambition is clear, but whether it can turn this projected victory into real political power remains to be seen.
Our Take: A warning sign for Germany's mainstream parties
To put it plainly, this projected result is a wake-up call for Germany's traditional parties. When voters in a state send a message that "things cannot carry on like this," they are expressing deep frustration with the status quo.
The fact that a far-right party could form a state government for the first time since World War II is not just a political story — it is a historical one. It shows how much the political landscape has shifted, and how angry many voters are with the current leadership in Berlin.
In our view, the mainstream parties need to take this seriously. Ignoring the signal from Saxony-Anhalt would be a mistake. The voters have spoken, and their message is loud and clear.
The final outcome is still uncertain, but one thing is already clear: this election has changed the conversation in Germany.
