An election in eastern Germany on Sunday could deliver the first far-right state governor in the country’s post-World War II history, with polls putting the anti-migration Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a strong position ahead of a vote in Saxony-Anhalt. The prospect marks a significant test for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his centre-right government, which has struggled to persuade voters it can address slow economic growth. Merz has described the mood in Germany as “widespread moroseness”. Polls Give AfD A Lead In Saxony-AnhaltSeveral polls ahead of the election to the state legislature in Saxony-Anhalt show AfD leading by a wide margin. Securing control of the state government would be the party’s biggest achievement since it was founded 13 years ago, and would signal a political shift for Germany. Wolfgang Merkel, a political scientist at the WBZ Berlin Social Science Center, said an AfD victory could “break a taboo” in Germany. He argued that modern Germany has differed from much of Europe by not having a radical right-wing party govern at national, state or major city level. AfD has been particularly strong in Germany’s former communist east, including Saxony-Anhalt. In last year’s national election, the party won 20.8% of the vote, its best result for a far-right force in the post-war period, and became Germany’s largest opposition party. AfD Seeks Absolute Majority, Plans For Education And MediaIn Saxony-Anhalt, AfD is aiming for an absolute majority in the state legislature. If it achieves that, it would avoid the “firewall” used by mainstream parties that refuse to work with AfD. The party’s regional branch is among several AfD state associations classified by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency as proven right-wing extremist groups, allegations the party denies. AfD’s campaign slogan is “Everything is possible”. Its candidate for governor, Ulrich Siegmund, said at a campaign event in Moeser that it was a “historic opportunity” to “write history”. He is 35 and served as AfD’s nominee for the state top post. Siegmund lists deporting people considered illegal, launching a “deportation offensive”, and removing what he describes as incentives for migrants to come and exploit the social system. The campaign also calls for starting a long process to withdraw Saxony-Anhalt from the regional public broadcaster, citing concerns about “disinformation”. On education, AfD says it wants to allow home schooling, which is currently not permitted in Germany. It also pledges to prevent schools from raising the rainbow flag officially and to ensure the national flag is flown. The party says it opposes taxpayer funding “given away” to Ukraine and wants sanctions on Russia lifted, though these decisions are not within the competence of state governments. AfD’s only previous leadership at county level was elected in 2023 in neighbouring Thuringia. A state governorship would greatly expand its influence and could strengthen ambitions of governing nationally, analysts say. CDU Incumbent Warns Of Isolation If AfD WinsSven Schulze, the incumbent governor for Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is facing the challenge. Speaking to the Associated Press in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt’s capital, Schulze said AfD “wants the past back” and that the state would face “isolation” if it won power. Schulze pointed to improvements in the state’s economy and falling unemployment since German reunification in 1990. He also argued that the far right does not want people “born abroad” to live and work in the region, saying that would pose problems where immigrants are employed in hospitals and companies. He said he would not work with AfD and that the CDU backs him “100%”, adding that AfD identifies problems but offers no solutions. Uncertain Impact On National PoliticsEven if AfD becomes the strongest party, its ability to govern depends on whether it wins an absolute majority. Merkel said he did not see AfD governing in the absence of a suitable coalition partner. That could leave Schulze looking to build a patchwork administration with smaller parties on the left, a scenario that Merkel said many voters would interpret as “clinging to power”. It also remains unclear how a Saxony-Anhalt result might affect national politics, particularly ahead of elections on 20 September in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Merkel said he believed the state was too small to have “any particular impact”, but a substantial loss of support for the big traditional parties could reinforce a narrative of their decline. Merz has sought to underline the government’s determination to press through reforms after a Cabinet meeting last week, telling voters they needed to move beyond “glumness and anger” and overcome the “widespread moroseness” that has “paralyzed” Germany. Join the discussion? 31 August 2026
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