AfD outlines remigration and school deportation agenda for governance
AfD pledges remigration offensive and school deportation policies as governing priorities.
Event / Politics
Saxony-Anhalt State Election 2026
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved 43.8% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on September 7, 2026, securing 39 of 83 parliamentary seats. This represents the strongest far-right electoral performance in modern German history. The CDU suffered historic losses with only 17.2% of the vote. Record voter turnout reached 77.8%, and mainstream parties maintained their firewall against coalition cooperation with the AfD.
2 reported locations
Daily activity
3 articles0 articles
2026-09-08 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 8 Sept, 02:07 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
No far-right party has led German state or national government in modern era
Unlike other European countries, modern Germany has not yet had a far-right or right-wing populist party leading a national, state, or major-city government. An AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt would be unprecedented in this regard.
AfD's Ulrich Siegmund states party will not form minority government
AfD's candidate for governor, Ulrich Siegmund, stated that the party would not engage in forming a minority government following the election results. Despite this position, it remained unclear how divided opponents could assemble a stable alternative government without AfD's participation.
AfD in Saxony-Anhalt classified as proven right-wing extremist group
AfD's regional branch in Saxony-Anhalt is classified as a proven right-wing extremist group by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, which points to members' denigration of migrants from Muslim countries. The party talks of 'remigration,' a politically charged term for the deportation of immigrants.
CDU maintains refusal to work with AfD despite election loss
The CDU rejected backing down from its longstanding firewall against working with the AfD. CDU general secretary Franziska Hoppermann stated that the party views AfD as a right-wing extremist party and will not form coalitions with it, citing AfD's positions on leaving the euro, close cooperation with Russia, and its proposed social model changes.
CDU loses half its support in Saxony-Anhalt, winning only 17.2% and 15 seats
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) polled 17.2% in the Saxony-Anhalt election, losing approximately half its support from five years prior and winning only 15 seats in the 83-member parliament. The result marks the CDU's worst election defeat in years or decades.
Friedrich Merz acknowledges worst CDU defeat in decades
Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the election result represented the worst defeat the CDU had suffered in years or decades. He stated that the election result would have to have consequences, though did not specify the nature of those consequences.
AfD pledges remigration offensive and school deportation policies if governing
AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund listed top priorities that include initiating a 'deportation offensive,' dropping incentives for immigration, and prohibiting schools from officially raising the rainbow flag. The party also pledges to allow homeschooling, ensure schools fly the national flag, and oppose financial support to Ukraine.
AfD falls three seats short of majority in Saxony-Anhalt parliament
The AfD won 39 of 83 seats in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament, falling three seats short of the absolute majority needed to govern alone. The party had sought a majority to overcome the firewall of mainstream parties' refusal to work with it.
AfD wins 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt state election, more than doubles 2021 result
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 43.8% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election held on Sunday, more than doubling its 2021 result of 23.7%. This was the party's strongest performance in the eastern state of 2.1 million people west of Berlin.
Turnout reaches record 77.8% in Saxony-Anhalt state election
Voter turnout in the Saxony-Anhalt state election reached 77.8%, notably high compared to previous elections. The number of undecided voters in advance of the vote was significantly lower than in previous elections.
Other parties secure seats: SPD 9.3%, Greens 8.9%, Left Party 8.6%, BSW 5.3%
In the Saxony-Anhalt election, the center-left Social Democrats polled 9.3%, the Greens 8.9%, and the Left Party 8.6%, each winning eight seats. The BSW party achieved a historic first by passing the 5% threshold to enter parliament with 5.3% of the vote and five seats.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Coalition barriers harden as CDU, AfD rule out cooperation
CDU rejects AfD partnership; AfD refuses minority government, deadlocking coalition formation.
AfD secures 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt, falls short of outright majority
AfD nearly doubles support to 43.8% but misses outright majority in Saxony-Anhalt.