Far-right AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt state election with over 44%

September 7, 2026 at 11:23 AM2 min

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The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the state election in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, September 6, with over 44% of the vote. The party is poised to lead a state government for the first time, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU fell to a record low of 18.4%.

Key Facts

AfD won over 44% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on September 6, 2026.
The CDU received 18.4%, its worst result in Saxony-Anhalt, down from 2021.
AfD is projected to win 39 of 83 seats in the state parliament, enough to lead a government.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned before the election that an AfD victory would deter foreign investors from the region.

Election Results

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the Saxony-Anhalt state election on Sunday, September 6, with more than 44% of the vote. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Chancellor Friedrich Merz came second with 18.4%, its worst result in the state, losing half its 2021 vote share. The Left Party took 9.3%, Alliance 90/The Greens 8.7%, and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) 8.3%, also a record low for the SPD in the region. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) received 5%, while all other parties failed to clear the 5% threshold.

Seat Projection

Based on preliminary results, the 83 seats in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament are projected to be distributed as follows: AfD 39, CDU 16, Left Party 8, Greens 8, SPD 7, and BSW 5. AfD's candidate for state premier is Ulrich Siegmund. The incumbent state premier, Sven Schulze, is a member of the CDU.

Chancellor's Warning

Before the election, Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned in an ARD summer interview that an AfD victory would harm the region by deterring foreign investors. Merz said he could not imagine international investors attending a groundbreaking ceremony in Saxony-Anhalt if the state premier were from the AfD. Merz also expressed skepticism about banning the AfD, calling a party ban a last resort and advocating political means to combat extremism.