Germany Faces Political Uncertainty After Historic Far-Right Election Win

Germany is facing a period of political uncertainty following a historic election result in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. On Sunday, September 6, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a major victory, winning 43.8% of the vote. This result makes the AfD the strongest political force in the state, though it fell three seats short of an absolute majority. According to the BBC, this is the first time since World War Two that a far-right party has come this close to controlling a German state government.

The AfD’s success has created a difficult situation for German politics. For years, mainstream parties have maintained a "firewall"—a firm policy of refusing to form coalitions or work with the far-right. However, the AfD now argues that because they received the most votes, democracy requires other parties to talk to them. Beatrix von Storch, a deputy leader of the AfD, told the BBC that ignoring the will of the voters could lead to severe chaos or even new elections. Ulrich Siegmund, the party’s leader in Saxony-Anhalt, added that his party has a clear mandate to govern.

The result has caused significant tension within the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which saw its share of the vote drop to 17.2%. Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed that he was "deeply shocked" by the outcome, stating that the party had been shaken to its foundations. The situation within the CDU is further complicated by internal disagreements. Sepp Müller, a member of the national parliament, faced harsh criticism from Chancellor Merz after suggesting before the election that the AfD might have a right to form a government if they won. According to Deutsche Welle, party leaders felt these comments undermined their own campaign efforts.

Following the poor election results, the state premier of Saxony-Anhalt, Sven Schulze, resigned as the CDU state chairman. As the state looks for a way forward, the AfD is exploring different strategies to gain power. One possibility being discussed is an informal deal where a smaller party, the BSW, might provide enough support to allow the AfD to form a minority government. The BSW is a left-wing populist party that shares some of the AfD's tough views on immigration and energy policy. However, as Al Jazeera reports, the AfD’s branch in Saxony-Anhalt is classified by domestic intelligence as a "right-wing extremist" group, a label the party strongly rejects.

The implications of this election extend beyond the borders of Saxony-Anhalt. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that some political parties are gaining influence while ignoring serious threats, such as Russian hybrid attacks and acts of sabotage. While she did not name the AfD directly, her comments highlighted growing concerns about how such parties might change Germany’s role in Europe. The AfD’s platform in the state includes controversial plans, such as separating child refugees into special classes and creating a task force to deport migrants who no longer have the right to stay.

As the region waits for a resolution, the political future remains unclear. The AfD has begun consultations with other groups, hoping to find individuals or parties willing to help them form a government. Meanwhile, the mainstream parties are under pressure to decide whether their "firewall" against the far-right can hold in the face of such a strong election result. Chancellor Merz has emphasized that the country cannot return to "business as usual" and that the CDU must find better ways to connect with voters on an emotional level. Whether the AfD will successfully take power or if the state will face a messy period of minority government remains a question that could take days or even weeks to answer.