Weidel's leadership exposes contradictions within AfD's platform identity
AfD co-leader Weidel's personal identity and immigration record contradict the party's conservative platform.
Event / Politics
German Regional Elections 2024-2025
Series of regional elections across German states including Saxe-Anhalt, with significant far-right party performance and coalition dynamics.
7 reported locations
Daily activity
9 articles0 articles
2026-09-06 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 6 Sept, 18:54 UTC
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What happened
Elon Musk congratulates AfD on election victory
Elon Musk, multibillionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, posted 'Well done!' on social media platform X in response to a post from Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, following the party's election victory in Saxe-Anhalt on September 6, 2025. Musk has been a long-time supporter of the AfD, previously describing it as 'the best hope for Germany' before the February 2025 legislative elections.
Alice Weidel co-leads AfD despite party's traditional family platform
Alice Weidel, 47, has served as co-leader of the AfD since 2022 while publicly identifying as a lesbian. She shares her life with Sarah Bossard, a Swiss film producer of Sri Lankan origin, and they raise two children together. This contrasts with the AfD's political platform, which criticizes homosexuality, trans identity, and advocates for traditional family structures defined as father, mother, and children. At the January 2025 party congress, AfD leaders adopted a broader definition of family emphasizing security, trust, mutual care, protection, and support.
Additional German regional elections scheduled for September 20
Chancellor Merz noted that two additional regional elections are scheduled for September 20, 2025: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the north, where AfD leads according to polling, and Berlin where CDU, far-left parties, and far-right parties are running closely competitive races.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expresses shock at AfD victory
Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated he was 'deeply shocked' by the AfD's election victory in Saxe-Anhalt on September 7, 2025. Merz acknowledged responsibility for the defeat and promised to maintain his reform agenda while improving communication about reforms. He reaffirmed his determination to govern and stated 'Giving up is not an option,' noting he was elected for four years starting in 2025, suggesting he would not resign.
Merz acknowledges AfD's electoral rise changes political landscape across Germany
Chancellor Merz recognized that the electoral surge of the AfD has changed the political situation 'throughout Germany.' He stated that while AfD's victory must be accepted 'in democracy,' he promised to defend the constitutional order against what he characterized as the party's authoritarian tendencies, racism, and links to neo-Nazi movements. Merz emphasized Germany's historical responsibility given its Nazi past.
AfD wins Saxe-Anhalt regional election with 43.8% of votes
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a historic victory in regional elections in Saxe-Anhalt on September 6, 2025, winning 43.8% of votes. The party significantly outpaced the second-place CDU which received 17.2% of votes. SPD received 9.3%, Greens 8.9%, Die Linke 8.6%, and BSW 5.3%. This represents a major advance for AfD, which had won approximately 23% in previous regional elections.
Ulrich Siegmund leads AfD campaign in Saxe-Anhalt to victory
Ulrich Siegmund, 35-year-old leader of the AfD in Saxe-Anhalt, led a comprehensive campaign promising to end the decline of the eastern German territory, targeting refugees and sexual minorities. He conducted numerous campaign events and met with residents across the 2.2 million-person state. Following the victory, Siegmund declared 'We have written history in this country' and stated the AfD needs 'fundamental political change' in Germany.
Ulrich Siegmund discusses potential cooperation with Elon Musk
Ulrich Siegmund, AfD leader in Saxe-Anhalt, responded to Elon Musk's congratulation by stating he was considering 'with great pleasure the possibility of cooperation' with the SpaceX and Tesla CEO. Siegmund stated that 'Germany would become a country worth investing in again' under AfD governance.
Alice Weidel employed Syrian refugee illegally at Swiss residence
According to Der Spiegel reporting, Alice Weidel illegally employed a Syrian refugee at her residence in Switzerland, contrasting with her public positions on immigration.
AfD lacks majority in Saxe-Anhalt despite strong election performance
Although the AfD won 43.8% of votes in Saxe-Anhalt, the party lacks three seats needed to achieve an absolute majority in the regional parliament. Other parties have ruled out forming coalitions with the AfD, though the far-left BSW party has left the door open to potential alliance without formalizing formal support.
CDU candidate Sven Schulze acknowledges AfD's mandate to govern in Saxe-Anhalt
Sven Schulze, the defeated CDU candidate in Saxe-Anhalt, acknowledged that the AfD has a 'mandate to govern' despite lacking three seats needed for an absolute majority in the regional parliament.
Alice Weidel attributes political engagement to her homosexuality
At an AfD conference in 2017, Alice Weidel stated that she joined the party because of her homosexuality, not despite it. She explained: 'I live with a woman. We raise two children together. I am homosexual. I am not in the AfD despite my homosexuality but because of my homosexuality.' Weidel describes herself as a 'non-queer lesbian' and rejects gender theory and 'wokeness.'
Donald Trump's sphere celebrates AfD's regional election victory
Figures aligned with Donald Trump and the MAGA movement expressed satisfaction with the AfD's election victory in Saxe-Anhalt. Former US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell stated on social media 'An immense victory and a new day in Germany' and commented 'The people are ready for change, regardless of what names are given to it.' Trump himself posted election results on Truth Social without commentary on September 6, 2025.
Alice Weidel frames immigration concerns through LGBTQ+ security lens
Alice Weidel has stated that 'homophobic Muslim immigration is a risk for our future' and claims personal experience with this during childhood in 'a small village overwhelmed by Muslim immigration.' She uses this framing to connect immigration criticism with LGBTQ+ rights concerns.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warns of rising extremist threat
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated on September 7, 2025 that 'the extremist threat, largely due to the surrender of traditional right, is gaining ground in Europe and around the world,' citing the AfD's victory in Saxe-Anhalt as an example. Sánchez emphasized the necessity of progressive coalition government and stated 'The world is watching us,' noting Spain has one of Europe's rare left-wing governments.
CDU ruled out coalition with AfD in Saxony-Anhalt
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) ruled out working with the AfD, stating that an AfD government would be an economic liability. Incumbent governor Sven Schulze from the CDU said he would not work with the far-right party and that his own CDU is "100% behind" him in rejecting such a coalition.
AfD won 44.5 percent of vote in Saxony-Anhalt election
Exit polls showed the Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 44.5 percent of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state legislature election, finishing well ahead of all rival parties. This marked the strongest performance by a far-right party in a German state since World War II.
Voter turnout in Saxony-Anhalt reached 65.3 percent by 4 p.m.
Voter turnout in Saxony-Anhalt surged to record levels on election day, with 65.3 percent of eligible voters casting ballots by 4 p.m., according to State Election Commissioner Christa Dieckmann. This far exceeded turnout at the same time in previous elections, when participation stood at 41 percent in 2021 and 47.1 percent in 2016.
AfD's regional branch classified as far-right extremist organization
The Alternative for Germany's Saxony-Anhalt regional branch was classified as a "far-right extremist organization" in 2023 by the state's Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The AfD's regional branch is one of several classified by the domestic intelligence agency as a proven right-wing extremist group.
Thousands protested against far-right government prospect in Magdeburg
On Saturday, thousands of people gathered in Magdeburg, the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt, to protest against the prospect of a far-right regional government.
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2 alternative perspectives
Spanish PM warns of extremist threat as German far-right gains
Spanish PM warns of extremist threat as German far-right gains electoral ground.
Trump sphere, Musk celebrate AfD's historic regional election victory
Musk and Trump allies celebrate AfD victory; Siegmund explores cooperation with Musk.
Merz acknowledges AfD's rise reshapes Germany's political landscape
Chancellor Merz acknowledges the AfD's electoral rise fundamentally reshapes Germany's political landscape.
CDU acknowledges AfD's mandate despite falling short of majority
CDU recognizes AfD's electoral mandate as Saxe-Anhalt navigates coalition formation.
Regional election cascade looms as eastern states prepare for September votes
Regional elections cascade into September 2024 as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin prepare to vote.
Thousands rally against far-right governance prospect in Saxe-Anhalt
Thousands protested in Magdeburg against far-right government prospects in Saxe-Anhalt.
Coalition partners unite to block AfD from government
Coalition parties exclude far-right AfD from government despite 44% election result.
AfD captures 44% in Saxe-Anhalt, CDU support collapses
AfD surges to 44% in Saxe-Anhalt election but lacks majority; CDU drops to 18.5%.