Germany votes in Saxony-Anhalt election, where AfD is leading
In Germany, elections are being held on Sunday in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party could become the first far-right force to gain power at the state level since World War II. According to the latest polls, AfD has 40% support, while the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has 23%, Al Jazeera English reports.
Chances of an absolute majority
AfD has been confidently leading in polls for several months. The party may secure an absolute majority if several smaller political forces fail to clear the five-percent threshold for representation in parliament. At the same time, the voting result is not guaranteed.
If AfD does not win a majority, the most likely scenario is said to be the formation of an administration led by the CDU and the incumbent state premier, Sven Schulze. Coalition negotiations may last several weeks, depending on which parties clear the five-percent minimum.
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AfD statements and rally in Magdeburg
AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund, who was previously a CDU member, predicted that the party would win an absolute majority. In a comment to the German tabloid Bild, he said that other political forces had created barriers to cooperation with AfD and that if other parties refuse a coalition, AfD would have to act independently.
An absolute majority would allow AfD to bypass the policy of refusing cooperation with it, which the main political forces adhere to. For the party, the election in Saxony-Anhalt is a stage on the path to its broader goal of gaining power at the federal level in 2029.
On the eve of the vote, a festival in support of democracy was held in Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt. The organisers said that between 15,000 and 20,000 people took part in the event. The first results are expected at around 18:00 local time.
