German far-right AfD party’s projected win puts Jews between the left and a hard place

Live updates

1. 8d ago

   German Far-Right AfD Election Victory Alarms Europe

   The Alternative for Germany party advanced toward power in Sunday state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, sparking panic among Jewish communities and triggering alarm across Europe. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that returning to business as usual is impossible following the vote. While the 13-year-old party fell short of securing its desired supermajority, the breakthrough threatens an anti-fascist consensus built after the defeat of the Nazis to prevent right-wing extremism. Observers across the continent worry the outcome signals a broader breakdown of traditional political barriers against extremist factions in Germany.

   Why it matters

   Postwar German democracy was intentionally structured to block the resurgence of right-wing extremism through a strict cordon sanitaire maintained by mainstream political parties. The Saxony-Anhalt vote challenges this firewall, though it remains unresolved whether the party can secure a government or coalition partners. The election results have sent shockwaves through European political establishments.

   What is confirmed

   • The Alternative for Germany party took a giant step toward power in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on Sunday.
   • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated it was impossible to go back to business as usual after voters chose the AfD.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Jewish leaders warned of immense damage if the Alternative for Germany comes to power.
   • Some Jews fear a throwback to Nazi Germany following the AfD victory.
   • The far-right party sought a supermajority in the Saxony-Anhalt state election but did not win it.

   What to watch next

   • Whether the AfD can form a government on its own or find coalition partners
   • Actions by mainstream political parties regarding the traditional cordon sanitaire against the AfD
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.cnn.com — The far right’s win in Germany is sending a chill through the establishment in Europe
   2. www.jta.org — Far-right win in German regional race sends shockwaves through Europe
   3. apnews.com — German vote shows rise of far-right in Europe, but it hasn’t been a steady march
   4. www.algemeiner.com — Far-Right AfD Party’s German Election Victory Alarms Jewish Community, Israeli Leaders
   5. www.jta.org — An AfD win has panicked some Jews who fear a throwback to Nazi Germany
   confidence 95%
2. 8d ago

   German Far-Right AfD Wins Saxony-Anhalt State Vote

   The far-right Alternative for Germany party surged into first place in regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, securing a projected victory of over 44 percent. Exit polls after voting closed show the party far ahead of the conservative Christian Democratic Union, which sits at 18.4 percent. While the result marks a major breakthrough for the 13-year-old party, it remains unclear whether the AfD will be able to form a government on its own or find coalition partners to break through the traditional cordon sanitaire maintained by mainstream political parties.

   Why it matters

   The outcome threatens Germany's longstanding postwar taboo against placing extremists in positions of regional government. Mainstream political parties have historically maintained a firewall by refusing to work with the AfD, leaving the party seeking an absolute majority to govern independently. The landslide win piles intense political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and tests the resilience of the nation's democratic containment strategies against the far right.

   What is confirmed

   • The Alternative for Germany party is projected to win more than 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt.
   • The conservative CDU is projected to win 18.4% of the vote in the regional election.
   • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces intense pressure following the AfD's strong showing.
   • It remains unclear whether the AfD will be able to form a government on its own or overcome the firewall of mainstream parties.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The AfD's projected win leaves Jewish communities caught between the left and a hard place.

   What to watch next

   • Whether the AfD secures enough seats or coalition partners to officially form the state government
   • How Chancellor Friedrich Merz and mainstream parties respond to the pressure of the election results
   Sources used for this update (25)

   1. WSJ — The Ex-Salesman Who Serves Up Far-Right Policies With a Smile
   2. The New York Times — Opinion | Something Alarming Is About to Happen in Germany
   3. Politico — Germany Had a Strategy to Contain the Far Right. It May Have Backfired.
   4. bbc.com — Germany's far-right AfD bids for first taste of power in eastern vote
   5. The New York Times — German Far-Right Surges, in Threat to Postwar Taboo on Extremists in Power
   6. CNN — Germany’s far-right AfD is poised for power – and split on whether to cozy up to Trump
   7. Bloomberg.com — ‘We Can Only Win’: The Rise of the Far Right in Eastern Germany
   8. Los Angeles Times — Trumpism’s shadow looms over German election as far right eyes historic power
   9. The Times of Israel — German far-right AfD party’s projected win puts Jews between the left and a hard place
   10. The Economist — Germany needs a new strategy for coping with the AfD
   11. dw.com — What would an AfD government in Saxony-Anhalt really mean?
   12. dw.com — Germany news: Thousands march at Saxony-Anhalt rallies
   confidence 95%