In a significant development, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has won its first state election in Germany, achieving this milestone on Sunday in the eastern region of Thuringia. Early projections indicate that AfD secured around 32-33% of the vote, placing it ahead of the traditional center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which garnered approximately 24%. In neighboring Saxony, the CDU, which has held power in the state since reunification in 1990, was projected to receive 31.7% of the vote, closely followed by AfD with about 30.6-31.4%.
The election results have elicited concern from various political leaders. Omid Nouripour, a key figure in the Greens party, remarked that an openly extremist party gaining such strength in a state parliament is alarming. The electoral successes present a challenge for Germany’s major political parties, as others have ruled out forming coalitions with AfD, creating potential difficulties in establishing new state governments.
The impact of a newly established party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), was also notable, capturing an estimated 16% of the vote in Thuringia and about 12% in Saxony. Alice Weidel, AfD’s co-leader, celebrated the outcomes, claiming it marked a turning point for the governing coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Despite receiving lower support, Scholz’s Social Democrats are projected to maintain representation in both state legislatures, although the Greens are likely to lose their seats in Thuringia. The national coalition, which includes the Free Democrats, is also expected to face setbacks, particularly in Thuringia, where they are not predicted to gain any seats.
The upcoming election in Brandenburg will further unfold developments, with the national elections set for more than a year away. The political landscape in Thuringia remains complex, particularly as the once-strong Left Party, led by the outgoing governor, faces significant declines in support.
The AfD has drawn strength from discontent with the federal government’s performance, particularly regarding immigration and military aid to Ukraine. The party is under surveillance by the domestic intelligence agency due to its classification as a right-wing extremist group. The recent knife attack in Solingen, linked to a suspected extremist, has revived discussions about immigration policies, further influencing the political agenda.
The BSW, founded by former Left Party member Sahra Wagenknecht, combines leftist economic viewpoints with skepticism towards immigration. The CDU, while historically resisting alliances with the Left, may consider working with the BSW to form a government without AfD in Thuringia. Both AfD and BSW oppose Germany’s military support for Ukraine, an issue that remains contentious in the east.