Far-right Alternative for Germany party wins big in regional election but falls short of majority
The AfD party secured a major victory in the Saxony-Anhalt regional election but failed to reach an absolute majority. The result is viewed as a significant setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his party, which has governed the region for over two decades.
Why it matters
The election results reflect deep-seated voter dissatisfaction with the national government and signal a potential shift in the German political landscape.
The far-right Alternative for Germany party surged to a resounding victory in a regional election on Sunday (September 6, 2026), but fell a little short of winning a majority in its quest to form the country's first far-right state government since World War II.
The party of Germany's unpopular leader, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, slumped to a disastrous result in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The anti-migration and Russia-friendly Alternative for Germany's candidate for Governor said that "we have written history" and the party has a clear mandate to govern.
Ulrich Siegmund, 35, told public broadcaster ARD that voters had sent a signal that "things cannot carry on like this." He said that "a very good campaigner for us in this election campaign was Friedrich Merz."
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