The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won a key state election, becoming the first far-right German political party to do so since World War 2. The party sought an absolute majority in the state legislature to govern alone in Saxony-Anhalt, but fell three seats short of an outright majority, with 39 members in an 83-member parliament.
Clear mandate to govern
The candidate for governor said the party has a clear mandate to govern. Ulrich Siegmund, 35, told broadcaster ARD that voters had sent a signal that "things cannot carry on like this." He added that the party would not engage in "games" such as a minority government, but it is unclear how divided opponents could assemble any stable government without it.
AfD is the biggest opposition party in Germany's national parliament and is strongest in the formerly communist and less prosperous east, where Saxony-Anhalt is located. A first state government would be the biggest prize in the anti-migration party's 13-year history.
Record vote share
It won 43.8% of the vote, more than double its showing five years ago in the region of 2.1 million people. Germany has not had a far-right or right-wing populist party leading a national, state or major-city government.
During World War II (1939 to 1945), Germany was ruled by the National Socialist German Workers' (Nazi) Party. The party, led by Adolf Hitler, was a far-right, fascist political movement responsible for the discrimination, persecution and genocide of Jews. More than six million Jews and millions of other targeted by the regime were murdered.
Extremism classification and priorities
AfD's regional branch in Saxony-Anhalt is one of several classified as a proven right-wing extremist group by the domestic intelligence agency. The party, however, rejects accusations of extremism, saying the accusations are politically motivated.
Siegmund has listed among his top priorities "a deportation offensive" and dropping incentives for people to come to Germany and "exploit our social system." The party opposes taxpayers' money being "given away" to Ukraine and says it would push to lift sanctions against Russia. This is not a matter state government can decide.
The 16 states' governments also sit in Germany's upper house of parliament, which must approve some government legislation. The influence there of Saxony-Anhalt is limited as it controls four of the 69 votes.
