AfD seeks support to govern after state election in Saxony-Anhalt

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has reported a significant victory in the elections for the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, obtaining 43.8% of the vote, which places it three seats short of an outright majority. Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD's leader in Saxony-Anhalt, stated that the election result represents a 'clear mandate to govern.' The party is now looking for support from other parties or individuals to form a government. Beatrix von Storch, the AfD's deputy parliamentary leader, emphasized the need for discussions with opponents, stating, 'You cannot say I do not accept the vote of the people.' No far-right party has governed a German state since World War Two, and achieving state-level governance would grant the AfD authority over local policing and education. Von Storch warned that refusal to collaborate with the AfD could lead to 'severe chaos' and potentially another election. Siegmund confirmed that discussions with other parties began on Sunday night and could take several days or weeks. The AfD is projected to secure 39 seats in the 83-seat state parliament, while the CDU, the largest party in the outgoing coalition, received 17.2% of the vote. There are discussions about a possible informal agreement with the left-wing populist BSW party, which is expected to win five seats. The AfD's national polling shows it leading ahead of the ruling conservatives and Social Democrats, although its stronghold remains in eastern Germany. The party's policies include a controversial plan for 'remigration,' which they claim targets criminals and illegal migrants.