AfD Surges Into First Place In Saxony-Anhalt, Reopening Divisions In Merz Government

AfD win reshapes reform

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged into first place in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, reopening divisions in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government as he insisted that a package of planned reforms must go ahead. Merz’s reform agenda includes raising the pension age and a clampdown on sick pay, while SPD coalition partners called for talks on possible changes to pension and care reform and a new discussion of the 2027 budget plus inheritance and wealth tax. The Globe and Mail reported that the AfD’s rise reflects frustration with the federal government over bureaucracy, the rising cost of living, uncertainty over pensions and economic insecurity, and it said Merz’s personal approval ratings are at a historic low.

The same article said the investment surge made possible by a special €500-billion (US$580-billion) infrastructure fund and an exemption from debt rules for defence spending is taking longer than expected to feed into the economy. Carsten Brzeski of ING warned that the main question would be whether coalition partners move closer together to push reforms through or whether a survival instinct leads to the coalition’s self-destruction.

Reporting for this sectionThe Globe and Mail

Trump praises, Merkel reacts

After the Saxony-Anhalt vote, U.S. President Donald Trump praised the AfD’s victory and attributed it to voters’ rejection of immigration policies, writing on Truth Social, “Wow! The populist party in Germany had a really big night.”

Trump added that Germans are “finally fed up with the absolutely terrible immigration laws and regulations that have severely harmed Germany,” and he said the AfD “won’t tolerate this any longer.”

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel told Deutsche Telekom’s Digital X trade fair in Cologne that the result was “simply shocking,” and she said, “As a CDU member my heart bleeds.”

The BBC reported that AfD deputy parliamentary leader Beatrix von Storch said “democracy demands” parties work with the AfD, adding, “You cannot say, I do not accept the vote of the people.”

The BBC also quoted Merz saying he was “deeply shocked” by the result, describing it as “seismic... not just in the country but also in my own political party and I take that very seriously.”

Reporting for this sectionBBC

What happens next in Germany

With preliminary results showing the AfD fell three seats short of an outright majority, the BBC said it is seeking support from other parties or individuals to govern, while Ulrich Siegmund told a news conference that the party had won a “clear mandate to govern.” The BBC described one floated option as an informal deal where the BSW could give tacit support to allow the AfD to form a minority government, and it said the BSW is set to win five seats. Channel 4 News said the AfD’s party leader in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, ruled out a minority administration, and it reported that the party was officially designated right-wing extremist by the German intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

The Globe and Mail said economists fear the AfD win could deter foreign investment and discourage skilled workers, and it warned the result shows a wider waning of public support for European integration, open markets and free movement of workers. In Cologne, Deutsche Welle reported that around 9,000 people attended a demonstration against the far-right under the motto “Stop right-wing extremism in Saxony-Anhalt and everywhere — strengthen democracy!” and it quoted the organizers saying, “Because in such a situation, when far-right extremists in Germany could come to power in a federal state for the first time, we as democrats want to and must raise our voices loud and clear,”.

Reporting for this sectionBBCDeutsche Welle