Alternative for Germany (AfD) may not have won the supermajority it sought in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on Sunday, but the far-right party did take another giant step toward power in a country whose postwar democracy was designed to prevent the return of right-wing extremism.

The AfD may not end up controlling Germany's Saxony-Anhalt state despite a landslide election victory, but the far-right party's "dream result" sends a clear message.

MAGDEBURG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 5: AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party, speaks to supporters during the final campaign rally on the eve of state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on September 5, 2026 in Magdeburg, Germany. (Photo by Jens Schlueter/Getty Images)

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged to first place in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, winning 44% of the vote. But the anti-immigrant, pro-Russian party fell three seats short of an absolute majority,

Alternative for Germany failed to secure an absolute majority in the state legislature to govern alone and overcome the so-called firewall of mainstream parties' refusal to work with AfD.

The far-right Alternative for Germany's (AfD) Ulrich Siegmundis the ⁠most ⁠likely next leader of the eastern ⁠state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt after a historic election win. The 35-year-old former fragrance salesman has laid ​out 10 points that he would like to achieve in the first 100 days of office as part of his "Vision 2026" election ‌manifesto.

Alternative for Germany, or AfD, won a landslide victory in Sunday’s election in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, testing a “firewall” against cooperation with the anti-immigrant, far-right party.

A German evangelical leader has called for a measured response among Christians after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won a decisive victory in Sunday's state election in Saxony-Anhalt, falling just short of an outright majority.