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Analysis · Political · As of

AfD Leads in Elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

The far-right Alternative for Germany is winning a majority of the vote in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern after its victory in Saxony-Anhalt. Against this backdrop, thousands-strong protests took place in German cities, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz called his party's result a catastrophe.

4 events in story8 sourcesVerified · 19/25 claims supported
AfD Leads in Elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Photo: Al Jazeera English

Sources

· 8

Key points

  • The AfD won almost 44% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt election and took 39 of 83 seats in the state parliament.
  • According to exit polls, the AfD leads in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with 37%, while the CDU received 5.5% and the SPD 35.5%.
  • To enter the government in Magdeburg, the AfD needs the support of three deputies; the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance expressed readiness to cooperate.
  • Around 150,000 people in 20 German cities took to the streets demanding a ban on the AfD.
  • Chancellor Merz called the CDU result in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern a catastrophe and ruled out a coalition with the AfD.

What happened

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) received the largest number of votes in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern election, repeating its result in Saxony-Anhalt earlier this month. According to exit polls, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern the AfD leads with about 37%, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU received 5.5% and the SPD 35.5%.

Why it matters

If the AfD forms a government in Saxony-Anhalt, it will become the first far-right party to lead a German state since 1945. The party is negotiating to form a government, and to enter the cabinet in Magdeburg it needs the support of just three deputies. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance expressed readiness to cooperate. Tens of thousands of people protested against the AfD victory: around 150,000 demonstrators in roughly 20 cities demanded a ban on the party. Chancellor Merz called the CDU result in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern a catastrophe and again ruled out a coalition with the AfD. The long-term consequences for Germany's energy transition could be significant, while the immediate impact will remain limited.

Context

At the federal level, the AfD led in the September ARD-Deutschlandtrend poll with 27% support, ahead of the CDU/CSU bloc with 21%; 84% of Germans are dissatisfied with the government's work. Around 3,000 people took part in a pride parade in Magdeburg before the election under the slogan 'Vote for love'. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that only 'idiots or traitors' could rejoice at the AfD triumph.

What's Next

Federal elections in Germany are scheduled for 2029; the AfD called the victory in Saxony-Anhalt a first step toward gaining power at the national level.

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