AfD’s Triumph in Saxony-Anhalt Raises Concerns Across Europe

POLICY WIRE — Paris, France — French government ministers expressed their concerns on Monday over the significant win of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Saxony-Anhalt state election.

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The AfD secured a resounding 44% of the vote, according to exit polls, marking a historic triumph for the far-right party. The result has raised alarms across Europe, particularly in France and Poland.

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In Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, supporters of the AfD celebrated with unbridled joy as the results were announced. Daniel Wald, a 44-year-old AfD state lawmaker, compared the euphoria to the collective excitement he witnessed when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.

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The same feeling I experienced back then, with tears in my eyes and everyone around me cheering, came back when we saw the results. This is a new beginning, and we hope this spirit will spread across the country, Wald said.

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Angela Maike, a 65-year-old retiree from the city, was also pleasantly surprised by the outcome. She had expected a 41% result but was thrilled to see it exceed her expectations. To celebrate, she ordered two beers and a glass of red wine for her friends.

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Maike, who actively participated in the campaign by putting up and rehanging posters, felt that the high turnout of 78% was a sign that people who might not have voted otherwise were mobilized to support the AfD.

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The AfD’s lead candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, a 35-year-old with a strong social media following, is now poised to form the first far-right state government in Germany since the Nazi era. However, it remains unclear if the party will secure an absolute majority to govern.

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Julian Schneider, a 29-year-old member of the AfD’s youth organization, found the result predictable. He noted that the high voter turnout indicated a significant mobilization of AfD supporters in the small state of 2.1 million residents.

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At the post-election venue, a 1930s-era theater, supporters gathered to listen to Bjoern Hoecke, a senior AfD politician, sing a victory song. Siegmund was set to join his supporters later in the evening, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

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A 64-year-old retiree, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed hope that Siegmund could be the savior of Saxony-Anhalt. He cited economic and social issues, such as business closures and immigration, as reasons for his support for the AfD.

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Poland’s foreign minister also weighed in, calling the AfD’s victory a very worrying sign. The win has sparked broader concerns about the future of German and European politics, particularly in the financial sector.

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French Finance Minister Roland Lescure voiced his concern, emphasizing the potential risks for Europe and the financial sector. The AfD’s surge to first place, with 39 seats, has dealt a significant blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s center-right CDU and challenges the Brandmauer against the AfD.

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Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)