Historic Turnout

Voter turnout in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt is running at historically high levels. By 4pm, turnout reached 65%, compared to just over 40% at the same point five years ago. The first projections are expected shortly after 6pm.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD), with its lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund, has been ahead in first place for weeks. The latest polls put support for the party at around 41%, roughly twice as many votes as at the previous state election. In Saxony-Anhalt, the state branch of the AfD has been formally classified as strictly right-wing extremist by Germany's federal office for the protection of the constitution.

First far-right state government post-WWII

The other parties have ruled out any cooperation with the AfD. Under certain scenarios, that could produce a minority government, since the CDU has also formally ruled out a coalition with the Left. The CDU is polling at 23%, SPD at 8.5%, and the FDP at just 3%.

The Saxony-Anhalt election is drawing considerable international attention, with more than 800 journalists accredited. The next state elections come round in two weeks, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin.