AfD's Saxony-Anhalt win: Radicalization risk or peak?

The AfD achieved its largest electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt, but political scientist Jan Philipp Thomeczek questions whether this will lead to nationwide radicalization of the party. He suggests the party's radical course may fail if it cannot meet expectations as the strongest force. The AfD won the state election with 43.8 percent but missed an absolute majority. Top candidate Ulrich Siegmund seeks a stable majority through talks with other factions. The party is classified as securely right-wing extremist by Saxony-Anhalt's intelligence service. Thomeczek does not expect higher future results, noting the party may be nearly mobilized at 44-45 percent. He sees little overlap for a fixed coalition with BSW, though individual cooperation is possible. Upcoming elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin on September 20 will test the party's strength.