The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won a key state election, becoming the first far-right party to do so in Germany since World War 2. The party was seeking an absolute majority in the state legislature to govern alone in Saxony-Anhalt, but fell three seats short, winning 39 members in an 83-member parliament.
Party claims mandate to govern
The AfD candidate for governor said the party has "written history" and has a clear mandate to govern. Ulrich Siegmund, 35, told public broadcaster ARD that voters had sent a signal that "things cannot carry on like this." Siegmund said it would not engage in "games" such as a minority government. It is not clear how divided opponents could assemble any stable government without it.
Historic victory in eastern Germany
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. The party won 43.8% of the vote, more than double its showing five years ago in the region of 2.1 million people.
Unlike other countries in Europe, unified Germany has not had a far-right or right-wing populist party leading a national, state or major-city government. Its regional branch in Saxony-Anhalt is one of several classified as a proven right-wing extremist group by the domestic intelligence agency. AfD rejects accusations of extremism and says they are politically motivated.
Policy priorities and limited influence
Germany's 16 states have extensive powers, for example in overseeing security matters and running the education system. Siegmund has listed among his top priorities "a deportation offensive" and dropping incentives for people to come to Germany and "exploit our social system". It opposes taxpayers' money being "given away" to Ukraine and says it would push to lift sanctions against Russia, but that is not a matter state governments can decide.
The 16 states' governments also sit in Germany's upper house of parliament, which has to approve some government legislation. The influence there of Saxony-Anhalt is limited as it controls four of the 69 votes.
