AfD leads vote in Saxony-Anhalt as Germans cast ballots in eastern state election
Polling in Saxony-Anhalt could give the far-right Alternative for Germany enough support to govern alone, according to early projections.
Voters in Germany’s eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt went to the polls on Sunday in an election that could put the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, in control of the regional government. The vote is being watched closely because of its possible impact on the country’s wider political landscape.
Polling stations opened at 8am local time and were due to close at 6pm, with exit polls expected soon after. About 1.7 million people were eligible to vote, according to reporting from the Guardian.
The AfD, which has campaigned on anti-immigration positions and has drawn support from voters frustrated with mainstream parties, was forecast to win about 41% of the vote. That level of support could be enough for an outright majority in the state parliament.
France 24 said the party was seen as the clear front-runner in the region, which was part of the former East Germany. The result is expected to shape coalition talks and set the tone for politics in the state.
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