The Alternative for Germany (AfD) came first in Sunday’s Saxony-Anhalt state election, exit polls showed, bringing the far-right party close to taking state-level power for the first time since World War Two. The result has drawn attention across Europe, particularly in France ahead of next year’s national election, when veteran far-right politician Marine Le Pen could become president.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 14:38

The far-right AfD finished first in Saxony-Anhalt’s state election, bringing it within reach of governing at state level for the first time since World War Two. Europe Editor Rachel Armstrong examines what the result could mean for the continent.

RReuters2026-09-07 14:24

The far-right AfD’s victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt is a setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and a warning to other European leaders confronting sluggish growth and disillusionment with mainstream politics. Voters focused their anger on living costs, pensions and economic insecurity as Merz’s personal approval ratings fell to record lows.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 14:01

Markus Ziener, a visiting senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, says the AfD’s breakthrough in Saxony-Anhalt could mark a historic turning point in post-war German politics. He highlights both the scale of the far right’s success and the fact that many AfD voters had previously been politically disengaged, rather than merely abandoning established parties.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 14:01

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged to victory in Sunday evening’s state election but did not secure a majority. It could become the first far-right party to lead a German state government since the Second World War.

CCBC News2026-09-07 13:46

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that he was “deeply shocked” after his centre-right party suffered a heavy defeat to the far-right AfD in a state election. He nevertheless vowed to continue pursuing reforms.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 13:04

The Alternative for Germany surged to first place in Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt. The result brings a far-right party close to state-level power in Germany for the first time since World War II, drawing attention from European capitals, especially France as campaigning begins for next year’s presidential election.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 13:02

French international affairs editor Sylvie Bermann says the AfD’s breakthrough in Saxony-Anhalt is part of a broader transformation in European politics, rather than an isolated German electoral shock. Brexit and Donald Trump’s victories helped normalise the political shift.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 12:41

Germany’s far-right AfD scored a landslide win in a pivotal regional election in the former communist east on Sunday. The result was seen as a sharp rebuke to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, but the party appeared unlikely to secure an outright majority, leaving coalition partners as the central question.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 12:23

A regional election in a small eastern German state has caused a political shock with implications beyond Germany. The AfD, which Germany’s domestic intelligence agency classifies as an extremist group, came just short of winning an outright majority on Sunday.

TThe Associated Press2026-09-07 11:30

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under pressure ahead of a Berlin press conference after his Christian Democrats suffered a humiliating defeat to the Alternative for Germany in Saxony-Anhalt’s regional election. The CDU’s support fell to 17.2%, raising serious questions about mainstream parties’ longstanding “firewall” against cooperation with the AfD.

DDW News2026-09-07 10:45

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany wins in Saxony-Anhalt, moving closer to taking state-level power for the first time since World War Two. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner promote new ideas after trips between Moscow and Kyiv, but hopes on the streets are fading as winter approaches.

RReuters2026-09-07 10:35

The far-right Alternative for Germany came first in Sunday’s Saxony-Anhalt state election, according to exit polls, bringing it within reach of governing at state level for the first time since World War Two. The report examines the party and what its plans could mean for voters.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 10:13

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party scored a sweeping victory in Sunday’s regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, but narrowly missed a majority needed for its bid to form the country’s first far-right state government since World War II.

Eeuronews2026-09-07 09:56

Exit polls showed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) finishing first in Sunday’s Saxony-Anhalt state election. The result brings the party within reach of governing at state level for the first time since World War Two, although it fell just short of an overall majority.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 09:55

Exit polls put the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in first place in Saxony-Anhalt’s state election, bringing the party closer than ever since World War Two to governing at state level.

RReuters2026-09-07 09:47

The far-right Alternative for Germany won its strongest-ever result in a state election on Sunday, reflecting rising public anger at the political establishment and dealing Chancellor Friedrich Merz a major setback. Over the weekend, Iran and the US appeared to carry out their largest reciprocal tanker strikes yet, lifting oil prices as their six-month war disrupts shipping and fuels global inflation.

BBloomberg Television2026-09-07 09:40

CDU politician and German MP Günter Krings called the Saxony-Anhalt election result “devastating” and said the situation was “even worse than expected” after the far-right AfD took 43.8% of the vote. He said it was “not right” to discuss Friedrich Merz’s future just one day after the result.

Eeuronews2026-09-07 09:34

Exit polls put the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in first place in Sunday’s Saxony-Anhalt state election, bringing it closer than ever since World War Two to governing at state level. France 24 correspondent Nick Holdsworth says it is unclear whether the result mainly reflects dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative government or an explicit endorsement of the AfD.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 08:44

CDU Bundestag member Günter Krings blames EU decisions for part of the anger behind the far-right AfD’s election victory in Saxony-Anhalt, calling the result “devastating.” He says it is too soon, just a day after the vote, to discuss whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz should step back.

Eeuronews2026-09-07 07:52

The far-right Alternative for Germany has won a decisive victory in Saxony-Anhalt, taking 43.8% compared with 17.2% for the conservative CDU. Preliminary results leave the AfD short of the majority needed to govern alone, setting up difficult talks over who will lead the state. Its state leader, Ulrich Siegmund, called the result “sensational” and said voters had given the party a mandate to govern.

BBBC News2026-09-07 07:49

A press review focuses on the far right’s victory in a German state election and asks what the result could mean for Germany and Europe. The programme also highlights an interview with Imran Khan’s sons about his imprisonment conditions and controversy surrounding disruptions at the US Open.

FFrance 24 English2026-09-07 07:38

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under scrutiny after the far-right AfD won yesterday’s regional election in Saxony-Anhalt. His CDU lost half of its voters in the contest.

Eeuronews2026-09-07 07:12

The far-right Alternative for Germany posted its best-ever result in a state election on Sunday, amid growing public discontent with the political establishment. The outcome dealt a powerful blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

BBloomberg Television2026-09-07 07:07