Far-right German party AfD, which opposes aid to Ukraine, wins election in Saxony-Anhalt
- Author:
- Anastasiia Zaikova
- Date:
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won state elections in Saxony-Anhalt with 44% of the vote. The party will have 39 of the 83 seats in the state parliament, three seats short of a majority.
This is reported by The Guardian.
Chancellor Friedrich Merzʼs party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), received 17.2% of the vote and 15 seats, almost half of its previous tally. Turnout was around 77%.
The AfD will not be able to form a government on its own because it lacks the votes for a majority. Germanyʼs other major parties adhere to the so-called "firewall" principle of not forming coalitions with the AfD.
The election in Saxony-Anhalt was seen as a major test for Merzʼs government. The CDU has governed the state since 2002, along with smaller parties. Nationally, the AfD is also ahead of the CDU in the polls.
- The AfD advocates for tougher migration policies, including deportations of migrants, and calls for rapprochement with Russia and the lifting of sanctions. The party also opposes further aid to Ukraine.
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