Could the AfD become Germany's first far-right party to lead a state since WWII?

September 4, 2026 / 12:43 PM EDT / CBS News

Could the AfD become Germany's first far-right party to lead a state since WWII?

TL;DR

  • The AfD party is polling at 41% in Saxony-Anhalt, potentially making it the first far-right party to lead a German state since World War II.
  • The AfD Saxony-Anhalt has been classified as a 'confirmed far-right extremist' organization by the state Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
  • The party's platform includes a 'deportation and remigration offensive' and calls for tight limits on migration.
  • Winning the election does not guarantee the AfD will govern; they would need an absolute majority or a coalition partner, which other major parties have ruled out.
  • Migration has been a dominant topic in the election, amplified by a recent attack on Magdeburg's Christmas market.
  • Voter sentiment is divided, with some supporting the AfD's stance on migration and others expressing fear and opposition to the party's 'extreme' views.