Germany’s far-right AfD is on course for a historic victory in Saxony...

The story

The far-right Alternative for Germany is on track for a landslide victory in the state of Saxony Anhalt, potentially positioning Ulrich Siegmund to become Germany's first far-right governor since World War II. However, opposition from other political parties leaves it uncertain whether Siegmund will be able to take office.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured a significant share of the vote in the East German state, sending shockwaves across the country. While candidate Ulrich Siegmund secured a large chunk of the ballots, Germany's complex political system and the refusal of nearly all rival parties to cooperate with the AfD mean his path to the governorship remains blocked.

The party campaigned on restoring national sovereignty, arguing that German politics should prioritize the interests of its own citizens rather than foreign concerns such as Ukraine. Among the AfD's most controversial platforms is "remigration," which calls for the mass deportation of undocumented foreigners and those with criminal records.

Following the projected victory, AfD chairwoman Alice Weide stated that she believes the days in office of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are numbered. Weide asserted that if the party gains a federal mandate to govern, it plans to cut all unnecessary spending, take control of borders, and deport anyone who is obligated to leave the country.