In Germany, AfD lacks majority to govern Saxony-Anhalt alone
In the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a record result in state elections, winning well over 40% of the vote. At the same time, the party did not secure the majority of seats in the Landtag needed to form a government on its own.
As Deutsche Welle English reports, other political forces rejected cooperation with the AfD. Germany's domestic intelligence service has classified the party's Saxony-Anhalt branch as confirmed right-wing extremist.
Seeking support for a government
AfD election leader Ulrich Siegmund said he would approach everyone willing to work with the party for a “fundamental political turnaround.” At the same time, he acknowledged that he currently sees no political forces he would consider suitable for a coalition.
Siegmund was referring primarily to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which is part of governing coalitions both in Saxony-Anhalt and at Germany's federal level. CDU General Secretary Franziska Hoppermann categorically ruled out a coalition, stating that there would be no cooperation with either the far left or the far right.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel said it still remains to be determined who will form the government — possibly through a tolerance agreement or in a coalition. One possible option mentioned in the article is an AfD-led minority government that would need support from other parties to advance its decisions.
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AfD program and the role of BSW
Siegmund stressed that he considers implementing the AfD program more important than gaining power and is not prepared to compromise. The party advocates a substantial tightening of asylum and migration policy, speeding up the deportation of asylum seekers who are in the country illegally, as well as a general obligation to work for other asylum seekers.
The AfD also proposes cutting funding for democracy development projects, opposing social diversity, reforming the public broadcasting system, and creating a kind of volunteer guard group against migrants.
The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) could become an important factor if it enters the state parliament. The party has a left-wing economic program and, like the AfD, advocates a more Russia-friendly foreign policy. BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht had previously expressed openness to substantive cooperation with the AfD, although the AfD itself does not consider BSW an attractive partner for ideological reasons.
Some politicians from the AfD's state branch have also said that, if necessary, they are prepared to remain in opposition until the party wins its own majority in parliament.
