Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfG) is just three seats short of a majority in one state parliament, and now it is trying to find enough support to govern.
Germany’s far-right AfD emerged from Saxony-Anhalt’s election with 39 seats in the 83-seat state parliament, three short of a majority. The party received just under 44% of Sunday’s vote.
That does not mean AfD will govern. Germany’s mainstream parties have long refused to govern with it, a practice commonly called a political “firewall” against the far right.
But the election makes that strategy harder to maintain.
If AfD can win support from other lawmakers, Saxony-Anhalt could become the first German state led by a far-right party since World War II.
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The seat count leaves several possibilities
AfD’s candidate for governor, Ulrich Siegmund, said the party will seek support beyond its 39 lawmakers as it tries to put together a governing majority.
One possible route involves the left-populist BSW, which won five seats. The parties differ on several issues, but both favor stricter immigration policies and take more Russia-friendly positions than Germany’s mainstream parties.
Keeping AfD out could also prove difficult. The Associated Press reported that every party would need to be part of an alternative governing majority.
Merz says his party will stay the course
Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the result a severe defeat for his center-right Christian Democratic Union, saying the party was “deeply shocked.”
He said he still plans to pursue economic reforms despite their unpopularity.
Merz also sought to reassure Germany’s allies, saying the country’s institutions remain stable and reaffirming support for Ukraine against Russia.
AfD campaigns for tougher immigration policies and takes a more Russia-friendly position than Germany’s mainstream parties. Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has classified the party’s Saxony-Anhalt branch as right-wing extremist.
Two more elections are next
The result matters beyond Saxony-Anhalt because AfD is already the largest opposition party in Germany’s federal parliament.
AfD’s gains are also making it harder for mainstream parties to build governing majorities while continuing to exclude it.
The next tests come Sept. 20, when voters go to the polls in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
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