Elections in Germany Could Produce First Far-Right State Government Since Nazi Era: What to Know

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   German Far-Right Victory Threatens State Government

   The far-right Alternative for Germany party shattered the political firewall by winning a regional election in Saxony-Anhalt. The triumph brings the anti-immigration group closer to state power than any right-wing extremist movement since the Nazi era. The victory places intense pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and alarms the German establishment. While the far-right faction taunted the chancellor in parliament following the vote, Merz maintains that the party will not secure a majority. The outcome challenges the anti-fascist consensus across Europe and forces political leaders to scramble for a strategy to halt the rising extremist movement.

   Why it matters

   German intelligence has previously categorized the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party as xenophobic and extremist. The recent regional outcome marks an ominous coup for the far right, raising serious concerns regarding the stability of the European political establishment. National leaders are now forced to confront a political landscape where traditional barriers against extremist groups are breaking down.

   What is confirmed

   • The far-right Alternative for Germany party won a regional election in Saxony-Anhalt.
   • The party taunted Chancellor Friedrich Merz in parliament following its election triumph.
   • Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the far-right party will not win a majority.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Alternative for Germany party won control of a state government.

   What to watch next

   • Decisions by the German establishment on how to stop the rise of the far-right party
   • Responses from Chancellor Friedrich Merz to address the parliamentary taunts and political pressure
   • Potential parliamentary maneuvers or coalition formations following the Saxony-Anhalt election result
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.whitehouse.gov — Election Integrity
   2. heatmap.news — Heat Deaths Aren’t the Only Thing That Counts
   3. www.thenation.com — The German Far Right’s Shocking Victory in Saxony-Anhalt Is a Warning for Germany
   4. apnews.com — German far-right party taunts chancellor after its election triumph. He says it won’t win a majority
   5. truthout.org — Germany’s Fascist Party Just Won Control of a State Government
   confidence 90%
2. 1d ago

   AfD Wins Major Victory in Saxony-Anhalt State Election

   The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a significant victory in the Saxony-Anhalt regional election on Sunday. While the party did not secure a supermajority, the win places it closer to state power than any right-wing extremist group since the Nazi era. The result puts pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and raises alarms across Europe regarding the stability of the continent's anti-fascist consensus. German intelligence has previously labeled the anti-immigration party as extremist and xenophobic.

   Why it matters

   Germany's postwar democracy was specifically structured to block the return of right-wing extremism. The AfD has grown into a major political force in the 13 years since its inception. This victory reflects a growing divide in German politics and a challenge to the established political firewall.

   What is confirmed

   • The AfD won a major parliamentary election victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.
   • The AfD has been a political force for 13 years.
   • The AfD did not win a supermajority in the Saxony-Anhalt election.
   • The AfD is anti-immigration.

   Still unconfirmed

   • German intelligence has labeled the AfD as xenophobic and extremist.
   • The AfD's win signals the demise of an anti-fascist consensus dating back to the defeat of the Nazis.

   What to watch next

   • Coalition negotiations to determine if the AfD enters the state government
   • Official final vote tallies and seat distributions for Saxony-Anhalt
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. apnews.com — German chancellor faces pressure after far-right AfD party wins a landslide in a state election
   2. apnews.com — AfD party’s landslide win in eastern Germany tests country’s ‘firewall’ against the far right
   3. www.pbs.org — Far-right AfD win signals shift in Germany, raises alarm in Europe
   4. www.cnn.com — The far right’s win in Germany is sending a chill through the establishment in Europe
   5. apnews.com — German vote shows rise of far-right in Europe, but it hasn’t been a steady march
   6. www.democracynow.org — Far-Right Party Posts Strongest Showing in a German Election Since the Nazi Era
   confidence 90%
3. 3d ago

   German Far-Right AfD Eyes Landmark State Victory

   Voters in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt cast ballots in a high-stakes regional election on Sunday that could place the far-right Alternative for Germany party into power at a state level for the first time since the Nazi era. Ulrich Siegmund has led the AfD on the cusp of a major political breakthrough, challenging Germany's mainstream political establishment. The election unfolded amid deep voter frustration over the major parties and their handling of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis across the country.

   Why it matters

   The Alternative for Germany has steadily built momentum across eastern regions, tapping into anti-establishment sentiment and economic anxieties. Securing a state-level government would break a decades-long cordon sanitaire maintained by traditional political parties against far-right executive power. This contest serves as a critical temperature check for national politics and the stability of the current political order.

   What is confirmed

   • Voting in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt began on Sunday in a closely watched election.
   • The election could see the Alternative for Germany become the first far-right party to take power at a state level since World War Two.
   • Ulrich Siegmund is bringing the AfD to the cusp of power in Germany.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The far-right AfD is projected to win a regional election in Saxony-Anhalt.

   What to watch next

   • Final certified election results from Saxony-Anhalt
   • Whether mainstream parties will attempt to form a coalition to block the AfD from power
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. Bloomberg.com — ‘We Can Only Win’: The Rise of the Far Right in Eastern Germany
   2. Reuters — Germany's far-right AfD seeks landmark state victory as Saxony-Anhalt votes
   3. The New York Times — A State in Germany Could Soon Have Far-Right Leaders. Here’s What to Know.
   4. The New York Times — In Germany, Ulrich Siegmund Is Bringing the AfD to the Cusp of Power
   5. The Guardian — Far-right AfD predicted to win big in crucial German state election
   6. www.nbcnews.com — Germany’s far-right AfD eyes landmark state victory as Saxony-Anhalt votes
   7. NBC News — Germany’s far-right AfD eyes landmark state victory as Saxony-Anhalt votes
   8. AP News — German region votes in election that could bring first far-right state government to power
   9. timesofisrael.com — Polls open in German vote that could bring first far-right state government since WWII
   10. www.newsweek.com — Germany Election: AFD Wins, May Be First Far-Right Party in Power Since WW2
   11. www.aljazeera.com — Can AfD form Germany’s first far-right state government since World War II?
   12. theconversation.com — Even if it doesn’t form government, the far‑right AfD has shaken Germany’s political establishment to the core
   confidence 95%