The far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is "very, very close" to taking power, its deputy parliamentary leader said, following a historic victory in the Saxony‑Anhalt state elections. Preliminary results show the party fell three seats short of an outright majority, with 43.8% of the vote, and is now seeking support from other parties or independent MPs to govern.
While most German parties refuse to cooperate with the AfD, figures like Beatrix von Storch have urged opponents to enter talks, arguing that "you cannot say I do not accept the vote of the people". A refusal could lead to severe chaos or a new election, she warned.
In a press conference, Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s leader in Saxony‑Anhalt, announced the party’s win as a "clear mandate to govern". Saxony‑Anhalt, with a population of 2.1 million, has the AfD classified as "right‑wing extremist" by domestic intelligence, a label Siegmund disputes.
Discussions with other parties began on Sunday night and could involve days or weeks of negotiation. "We reach out to everybody first, we will have consultations, and then we'll see whether individual parliamentary groups or MPs will help us," said Siegmund.
The AfD holds 39 seats in the 83‑seat state parliament, three seats shy of the 42 needed for a majority. The CDU, the largest party in the state’s outgoing coalition and in Germany’s federal government, won 17.2% of the vote.
