AfD’s Surge in Saxony-Anhalt Shakes Germany’s Political Landscape

Supporters of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party celebrated as Ulrich Siegmund, the top candidate, stood before them during the election night gathering in Magdeburg, Germany. The occasion followed the release of preliminary results from the Saxony-Anhalt state election on Sunday, September 6, 2026.

AfD, a populist and far-right political party in Germany, declared victory after securing more than double its previous share of votes. This election marked the first of several regional contests scheduled for the fall. Despite not achieving an absolute majority to govern the region, the outcome is causing a major political shift in Germany.

According to the results, the AfD captured 43.8% of the vote, the strongest showing for the party in any German state election. This development demonstrates a significant shift in political power reminiscent of historical events in Germany. Meanwhile, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), a center-right party, saw its share of votes drop to a historical low of 17.2%. Other parties such as the Social Democrats (SPD) received 9.3%, the Greens 8.9%, and the Left party 8.6%.

All these parties have refused to form a coalition with the AfD. However, AfD might secure power with the assistance of BSW, a left-wing populist party that opposes immigration and garnered 5.3% of the votes. This possibility raises concerns, as it could lead to a parliamentary majority for the AfD.

The result sends a very clear signal to Berlin: this is the end of the line; people don’t want to go on like this, Siegmund told ARD, a German public broadcaster.

Siegmund emphasized the desire for a return to a “good, old, secure Germany.” CDU candidate Sven Schulze congratulated the AfD on their triumph, acknowledging that the CDU’s performance fell below expectations. It remains uncertain if Schulze will pursue a “firewall” coalition, a strategy that aims to keep the AfD out of power by uniting major parties, including the far-left Die Linke, which CDU conservatives are hesitant to join.

Addressing supporters, Schulze commented, Some say this is a dark day for Saxony-Anhalt. I say this is democracy, reflecting on the electoral outcome. AfD co-chair Alice Weidel predicted the CDU would not recover electoral success, citing the AfD’s growing popularity.

Siegmund has gained national attention for his charismatic style and compelling messaging. At age 35, the former marketing executive turned salesperson has invigorated AfD’s image. His engaging personality and usage of platforms like TikTok have galvanized support. Observers credit Siegmund with making AfD policies more approachable to voters.

Germany’s domestic intelligence considers the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt an extremist group. Their regional agenda is notably radical, emphasizing the “remigration” policy. This policy aims at widespread deportations and affects those deemed non-contributory to society, such as unemployed Ukrainian refugees. It also calls for the segregation of refugees and disabled children in schools and for revising the curriculum to present a “more positive” view of Germany’s past.

Post-election results led Siegmund to claim, We have made history in this country, looking beyond Saxony-Anhalt as a signal for broader change in Germany.

The election’s ripples reached international figures. President Trump shared the outcome on Truth Social, with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev echoing sentiments of a “historic win.” Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed support, to which Siegmund responded with gratitude.

In contrast, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized the AfD’s win on X. He warned against celebrating AfD’s rise, aligning his opinion with that of France’s Europe minister, Benjamin Haddad, who labeled the results as a “grave moment in Europe.”