Far right tops German regional election

In short

Alternative for Germany won almost 44 per cent of the vote in the regional election in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, more than double the 20.8 per cent it took in 2021, on a record turnout of 78 per cent in a state of 2.1mn people. Preliminary results put it three seats short of an absolute majority in the state parliament, and coalition talks are expected to be difficult.

What's going on

• Alternative for Germany won almost 44 per cent in Saxony-Anhalt, a former East German state, finishing three seats short of a majority in the Landtag, its state parliament.
• Established parties have operated a "firewall", refusing coalitions with the far right, which this result leaves them unable to sustain.
• The domestic intelligence agency has classified the party's Saxony-Anhalt branch as rightwing extremist.
• The Christian Democratic Union, which has led the state since 2002, fell to 17.2 per cent from 37.1, its worst result there since reunification.
• Turnout reached 78 per cent, up from about 60 per cent in 2021, on preliminary results.
• Coalition talks are expected to be difficult, and two further regional elections follow this month in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

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