AfD Wins Saxony-Anhalt: Impact on Berlin and Switzerland
AfD achieves record result – what the election victory means for Germany and Switzerland.
On September 6, 2026, Saxony-Anhalt sent a political signal that extends far beyond the federal state. The AfD won the state election, according to initial ARD projections, with approximately 44.5 percent of the votes. This nearly doubles its 2021 result and marks its best performance in a state election to date.
In contrast, Minister President Sven Schulze's CDU secured only around 18.5 percent. In 2021, the party had achieved 37.1 percent. The Left, Greens, and SPD entered the parliament, while the BSW, with around five percent, must contend for its seats. The official final result is still pending.
AfD Wins – But Cannot Easily Govern
The result is historic but does not automatically lead to an AfD government. For an absolute majority of seats, the party needs more than half of the mandates. According to current projections, the result is insufficient for this.
This begins the actual political question: Who can govern Saxony-Anhalt in the future?
The CDU continues to reject cooperation with the AfD. The Left, Greens, and SPD also do not want to enable an AfD-led government. At the same time, a traditional continuation of the previous government composition is not possible after the election result. A CDU-led minority government would therefore be a possible, though politically difficult, option.
An interesting change in the AfD's position is noteworthy: Lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund had declared before the election that he only wanted to govern with an absolute majority. After the election victory, he now stated that he wanted to extend a hand to all forces supporting a political change. AfD federal leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla also signalled willingness to talk.
A Success with Federal Political Significance
Saxony-Anhalt does not decide on German foreign or security policy. The significance of the election therefore lies less in specific decisions made in Magdeburg than in its signalling effect for Berlin.
The AfD itself describes the result as a mandate for a political course change. Its lead candidate spoke on election night of a signal towards Berlin. At the same time, post-election surveys show that federal policy played a central role for many voters.
According to an ARD analysis, 59 percent of respondents considered a clear message to the federal government appropriate. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz received particularly critical ratings. The election was thus not only a vote on state policy but also an expression of dissatisfaction with politics in Berlin.
Sources
- ARD / infratest dimap: Projection and election analysis for the Saxony-Anhalt state election on September 6, 2026
- Statistisches Landesamt Sachsen-Anhalt: State Election 2026
- Tagesschau: Election result and government formation
- EDA: Bilateral relations Switzerland–Germany
- SECO: Relations Switzerland–EU
