AfD's Historic Win in Saxony-Anhalt Shakes Merz and Germany's Political Firewall
The far-right AfD won a historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, 2026, with 43.8% of the vote, its best result ever and the strongest showing by any party in the state since reunification. The result has put Chancellor Friedrich Merz under intense pressure. The Christian Democrats suffered a crushing defeat, and the outcome has shaken Germany's political firewall against the far right. The result was praised internationally by Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Viktor Orbán. The victory marks a turning point in German politics, as it is the far right's strongest performance since the end of the Third Reich. The event is expected to have significant repercussions for federal politics.