AfD wins 44% in east German election, more than doubling its support
Germany's far-right AfD won almost 44% in Saxony-Anhalt. The party more than doubled its vote share. It beat the Christian Democrats.
On Sunday, Germany's far-right AfD won almost 44% of votes in Saxony-Anhalt. Saxony-Anhalt is a largely rural state in former East Germany.
The party more than doubled its previous vote share. It finished far ahead of the Christian Democrats.
This result reflects a broader trend across Europe and North America. In 2025, nearly one in four countries saw democratic backsliding.
Six of the ten countries newly becoming autocratic are in Europe or North America. These include Italy, the UK and the US.
The AfD has gained ground in rural eastern German areas where economic hardship and migration concerns run deep. The party's rise signals a shift in what mainstream politics now accepts.
- Almost 44%
- Vote share
- More than doubled previous result
- Growth
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Region
Why it mattersFar-right electoral gains signal shifting political norms globally. They test the strength of democratic institutions across established democracies.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but global democratic backsliding and far-right normalisation can influence political movements and rhetoric in Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 11 d ago
