# German far-right set for big win in eastern state – exit polls

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/german-far-right-set-for-big-win-in-eastern-state-exit-polls/
- Published: 2026-09-07T04:37:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-07T10:43:35+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC World (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4zejgz3z9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Elections, Europe, Politics, World

## Key points

- AfD wins 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt, but short of a majority
- First potential far-right state government since WWII remains unresolved
- Coalition talks and possible new elections loom as AfD refuses to lead a minority

## Summary

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured a landslide victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, taking 43.8% of the vote against 17.2% for the conservative CDU, according to preliminary results. The win falls just short of an outright majority, meaning the AfD cannot immediately govern alone, but it marks a historic moment as no far-right party has controlled a German state since the Second World War. The result has been widely described by commentators and opponents as a watershed for German politics, with the AfD claiming a mandate to govern despite the shortfall.

The AfD is projected to hold 39 of 83 seats, three short of a majority, and state leader Ulrich Siegmund has ruled out leading a minority government or forming coalitions, saying fresh elections would only boost the party's support further. Possible paths forward include informal backing from the smaller left-wing populist BSW party, or individual defections from other parties' MPs, though all mainstream parties bar the BSW continue to refuse cooperation with the AfD. The result drew international reaction, with Donald Trump and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev praising the outcome, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned it, reflecting the wider European significance attached to the vote.

## Coverage

- [BBC World: German far-right set for big win in eastern state – exit polls](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4zejgz3z9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [Daily Mail: Germany's hard-Right AfD party is set for a landslide victory, exit polls show](https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16109737/Germany-far-Right-AfD-party-landslide-victory-regional-election-exit-polls.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490)
- [NPR: German exit polls suggest far-right party has big lead in regional election](https://www.npr.org/2026/09/06/nx-s1-5955677/german-exit-polls-suggest-far-right-party-big-lead-in-regional-election)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.