The Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a near‑majority in the eastern state of Saxony‑Alten, winning 43.8% of the vote in the preliminary results. With 83 seats in the state parliament, the AfD still falls three seats short of the 42 needed for an outright majority and is now courting other political groups for support.
Deputy parliamentary leader Ulrich Siegmund told the BBC: "We are very, very close to power and are looking for any partner who can help us form a minority government." The AfD’s focus includes segregating child refugees and creating a task force to facilitate deportations of migrants who lack legal status.
National leaders have responded sharply. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the result was “seismic” and that the CDU must “reach people at an emotional level.” CDU parliamentary group leader Beatrix von Storch urged “democrats to talk to each other” and warned that refusing to cooperate could result in chaos or a call for a new election.
Political analysts note that this election marks the first time an AfD group has won a state election since World War II, a development that could reshape German politics. Discussions are now underway to determine whether a small left‑wing party or the CDU could partner with the AfD, or whether the state will head toward a fresh election to break the deadlock.
