Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is heading for a major victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, according to initial election projections.
The AfD is projected to win 44.5% of the vote, putting it far ahead of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which is on 18.5%.
The result would represent a significant breakthrough for the AfD, although it is not yet clear whether the party will win enough seats to govern the state on its own.
AfD state leader Ulrich Siegmund described the projected result as a “historic outcome” and said the party had received a mandate to govern. He has also ruled out forming a government with other parties.
No far-right party has controlled a German state since the end of World War Two. If the AfD takes power in Saxony-Anhalt, it would gain influence over areas including policing, education and culture.
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Saxony-Anhalt has a population of about 2.1 million people. The AfD is classified by Germany’s domestic intelligence service in the state as “far-right extremist”, although Mr Siegmund rejects the classification.
AfD supporters celebrated at the party’s election headquarters as the projections were announced, with crowds cheering and later singing Germany’s national anthem.
“We have made history in this state,” Mr Siegmund told supporters.
The CDU’s state leader, Sven Schulze, conceded that the AfD had won the election and acknowledged that his party would have to respond to the result.
However, the final balance of power will depend on which smaller parties manage to enter the state parliament. Parties must receive at least 5% of the vote to gain seats.
If one or more smaller parties fail to cross the threshold, the AfD could gain a larger share of seats and potentially move closer to securing a majority.
The projected result is stronger than earlier opinion polls had suggested, highlighting the growing support for the AfD in eastern Germany.
The final result will determine whether the party can govern alone or whether other parties will need to form an alternative coalition.
(BBC News)