‘Can no longer be stopped’: AfD races towards historic win in Germany state vote
The far-right AfD party is polling strongly in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, potentially securing a historic state-level victory. The party's candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, claims their political momentum is unstoppable despite mainstream efforts to maintain a 'firewall' against them.
Why it matters
A victory would represent a significant shift in German politics, challenging the post-WWII consensus and testing the resilience of mainstream political coalitions.
Voting began in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday in a closely watched state election that could see Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) make history by becoming the first far-right party to take power at state level since World War Two, with the party's 35-year-old lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund declaring its rise "can no longer be stopped".Around 1.7 million voters in the eastern German state have until 6pm (1600 GMT) to cast their ballots, with initial results expected soon after polls close. The election is being closely watched as a test of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's strategy of countering the AfD by adopting a tougher stance on migration and security.Recent polls have put the AfD at just over 40%, well ahead of Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU), who are on around 23%.
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Germany's alliance against the far right
Far-right AfD predicted to win big in crucial German state election
Germany's far-right AfD bids for first taste of power in eastern vote - BBC
Germany's far-right AfD bids for first taste of power in eastern vote
Germany’s far-right AfD is poised for power – and split on whether to cozy up to Trump - CNN
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