Saxony-Anhalt Election: AfD Leads Polls

Voters in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt headed to the polls on Sunday, September 6, 2026, in an election that could mark a historic breakthrough for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Opinion polls showed the AfD leading with over 40 percent of the vote, significantly ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which was polling at around 22 to 23 percent. The outcome is being closely watched as a test for Merz's federal coalition and could reshape the political landscape in Germany. The AfD's lead candidate, 35-year-old Ulrich Siegmund, has campaigned on issues including immigration, education, and energy prices, while rejecting the far-right label. He has promised tougher immigration rules, including the deportation of undocumented migrants, and called for closer ties with Russia. The party also seeks to challenge Germany's support for Ukraine and wants schools to present what it describes as a more positive view of German history. Siegmund has stated he would only seek the position of state premier if the AfD wins an absolute majority, allowing it to govern alone without coalition partners.