The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a significant milestone on Sunday by winning a state election in the eastern part of Germany for the first time. Initial projections suggest that the party not only topped the vote in Thuringia with 32-33%, but also performed strongly in neighboring Saxony, competing closely with the mainstream Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
In Thuringia, the center-right CDU, which is the main national opposition party, garnered approximately 24% of the votes. Meanwhile, in Saxony, projections showed the CDU at about 31.7% and AfD trailing closely with 30.6-31.4%.
Omid Nouripour, a leader of the Greens, expressed concerns, stating that this marks the first time since 1949 that an openly right-wing extremist party has become the dominant force in a state parliament. The implications of AfD’s rise have prompted other political parties to pledge not to form coalitions with them, potentially complicating the formation of future state governments.
Alice Weidel, co-leader of AfD, hailed the results as “historic” and characterized it as a “requiem” for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition. Conversely, the CDU’s Carsten Linnemann reiterated his party’s long-standing policy against collaborating with the far right, emphasizing that their voter base is aware of this stance.
The elections reflect deep-rooted discontent with the current national government, fueled by issues such as anti-immigration sentiments and the government’s handling of military support for Ukraine. The AfD’s support is notably stronger in the former East Germany, where it stands under official surveillance due to concerns about right-wing extremism.
The election results could further complicate the political landscape in Thuringia, as the Left Party, previously led by outgoing governor Bodo Ramelow, has significantly dwindled in support, while a new party led by Sahra Wagenknecht is gaining traction with projections of about 16% in Thuringia and 12% in Saxony.
Wagenknecht’s party is positioning itself against AfD while potentially offering an alternative coalition partner for the CDU, casting the political dynamics in a complex light. Furthermore, heightened anti-immigration sentiments are expected to play a key role in shaping the new governmental strategies, as part of the ongoing political discourse in Germany.