AfD crushes CDU in Saxony-Anhalt: 43.8% and a serious blow to Merz

Alternative for Germany (AfD) won a historic victory in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, receiving 43.8% of votes and more than double ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union.

The initial exit poll even gave AfD 44.5%however, after the votes were counted, the preliminary official result was 43.8%. This is still the party’s best result in land elections in its entire history.

For comparison: in the previous elections in 2021, the AfD received only 20.8%. Thus, in five years the party has effectively doubled its support.

Results published by German public television channels ARD/Tagesschau and are confirmed by a preliminary vote count.

CDU has lost more than half of its support

The main loser was CDU. The party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz received only 17.2% against 37.1% five years ago.

The CDU has governed Saxony-Anhalt since 2002, so this is not just a case of failed regional elections, but a major shift in the political balance.

Reuters calls the result a serious blow to Merz personally and a warning for traditional European parties.

AfD won – but can it govern?

In the new Landtag, the AfD receives 39 out of 83 places. It fell short of an absolute majority by several mandates.

And here begins the main political paradox of the elections.

The AfD received almost as many votes as several other parties combined, but the CDU and most other political forces still refuse to form a coalition with it.

Friedrich Merz has already confirmed that the so-called Brandmauer – the “wall of fire” prohibiting cooperation between the CDU and the AfD remains in place.

Leader of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt Ulrich Sigmund stated that the party “made history” and received a mandate for a political turnaround. AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla believe that Sigmund should become the new prime minister of the state.

However, without partners or the support of deputies of other parties, it will be extremely difficult to form a stable government.

The blow has already reached Berlin

The CDU is careful not to turn the land defeat into a debate about the future of the chancellor. The party’s general secretary, Franziska Hopperman, said there was no question of replacing Merz.

Nevertheless, the CDU leadership gathered for an emergency discussion of the results on the evening of election day, which in itself shows the scale of the problem.

According to Tagesschauwithin the game the result is called “tipping point”.

The reasons for the growth of the AfD go far beyond the borders of one state: dissatisfaction with the state of the economy, the rising cost of living, migration policies and the federal government is especially strong in the eastern regions of Germany.

An additional factor remains the attitude towards Russia and Ukraine. The AfD opposes expanded military aid to Ukraine and favors restoring economic relations with Moscow – a position that enjoys significantly more support in eastern Germany than in the west of the country.

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