Far-right AfD secures historic win in Saxony-Anhalt state election

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored a decisive victory in the Saxony-Anhalt regional election, according to exit polls and early projections. Led by candidate Ulrich Siegmund, the party captured approximately 44.5 percent of the vote, marking a gain of over 23 percentage points compared to the previous state election.

In contrast, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) experienced a sharp drop, falling to around 18.5 percent. Smaller parties recorded single-digit support, with The Left securing 9.3 percent, the Greens at 8.7 percent, the Social Democrats at 8.4 percent, and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance reaching 5 percent. Voter turnout reached a record high of roughly 80 percent.

Despite the AfD's substantial lead, forming a viable governing coalition remains a major political hurdle due to established resistance from mainstream parties.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.