Germany’s far-right AfD seeks landmark state win in closely-watched vote

Alternative for Germany could become the first far-right party to take power at a state level since WWII

BERLIN, Sept 6 - Voters in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt will go to the polls on Sunday in a closely watched election that could see the Alternative for Germany (AfD) become the first far-right party to take power at a state level since the World War Two.

Germany's far-right AfD seeks landmark state victory as Saxony-Anhalt votes  Reuters

Ahead of Saxony-Anhalt's state election on Sunday, a democracy festival by civil society groups has been held in Magdeburg. The far-right AfD organized its final campaign rally in the state capital. DW has the latest.

Ahead of elections on Sunday, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany could win in this region of the former East Germany, the city of Stendal – where 10,000 Red Army soldiers were stationed during the Cold War – exemplifies the unique relationship between the former German Democratic Republic and Russia.

Ahead of elections on Sunday, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany could win in this region of the former East Germany, the city of Stendal – where 10,000 Red Army soldiers were stationed during the Cold War – exemplifies the unique relationship between the former German Democratic Republic and Russia.

The nationalist party is poised to win more than 40 percent of the votes in the state.

When Elon Musk posted on X in 2024 that the only thing that could “save Germany” was the AfD, he was embracing a political force that has moved steadily to the far right since it was founded in 2013.