Germany’s far right breaks through in state election, putting Merz under pressure

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 07, 2026

Photo Courtesy: AF

Germany’s political firewall against the far right is facing a major test after the Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored a historic victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, but stopped just short of winning enough seats to govern alone.

The AfD captured 43.8 percent of the vote and 39 of the state parliament’s 83 seats, more than doubling its share from the previous election. The result marks the party’s strongest performance yet in the state and puts it within striking distance of forming Germany’s first far-right state government since World War II.

But the victory comes with a catch: the AfD still needs partners to form a government. Mainstream parties have maintained a long-standing refusal to cooperate with the party, which Germany’s domestic intelligence agency classifies as right-wing extremist in Saxony-Anhalt.

The election is also a major blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his Christian Democratic Union. The CDU plunged to just 17.2 percent, leaving the party facing renewed questions over whether the national government can contain the AfD’s growing appeal.

The result reflects mounting frustration among voters over immigration, security and economic conditions, particularly in eastern Germany. The AfD has campaigned on tougher immigration policies and closer relations with Russia while opposing continued German support for Ukraine.

For Germany, the numbers carry significance beyond one state. The AfD’s surge suggests that the country’s traditional political center is losing ground, while the party once treated as an outsider is increasingly becoming a force that mainstream parties can no longer ignore.

The immediate question now is whether the AfD can turn its historic electoral breakthrough into political power. Even without an outright majority, its performance has already redrawn the political map and put Chancellor Merz and Germany’s established parties on notice.