AfD May Form Gov't in Saxony-Anhalt After High Turnout
Voters in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, participated in regional elections with high turnout, raising the possibility of the far-right AfD forming a government for the first time in the country's history.
Consensus
- Voting took place in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6.
- The election is for the regional parliament (Landtag) of Saxony-Anhalt.
- The turnout exceeded 65% by the end of voting.
- The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is a leading contender and could potentially form a government.
- The election results will be announced after 18:00 local time.
- The voting period lasted from 8:00 to 18:00 local time.
- Approximately 1.7 million people were eligible to vote.
- AfD is close to securing a majority of seats, which would allow it to govern independently.
- The AfD has been labeled 'demonstrably right-wing extremist' by a regional constitutional protection agency.
- The outcome could impact federal politics, including the role of Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Points of divergence
- The voter turnout at noon was 34.7%, which is 12.3 percentage points higher than in 2021, and this is the highest turnout in 28 years. — tg_theinsider
- The voter turnout at noon was 34.72%, compared to 22.4% in 2021. — tg_dwglavnoe
- The last Forschungsgruppe Wahlen poll on September 3 showed AfD with 41% support, while CDU had 23%. — novaya_eu
- AfD could theoretically gain a majority of seats even with less than half the vote due to the electoral system. — novaya_eu
- No poll conducted since the beginning of the year has shown AfD with an absolute majority of seats. — novaya_eu
- The AfD's potential government would be the first in post-war Germany led by a party deemed 'demonstrably right-wing extremist'. — novaya_eu
- If AfD gains a majority, it would be the first time the party forms a government in any German state. — tg_theinsider
- Around 70 foreign journalists, including from the US, Canada, and China, were accredited for the election. — tg_dwglavnoe
Coverage (6 sources)
- Voting turnout in Saxony-Anhalt exceeded 65% — ЭХО / Новости
- Record voter turnout recorded in Saxony-Anhalt elections — ЭХО / Новости
- Record voter turnout in Saxony-Anhalt elections in 28 years — The Insider
- High turnout observed in Saxony-Anhalt elections — DW Главное
- Elections are taking place in Saxony-Anhalt, after which the AfD may for the first time gain power in a German state — Новая газета Европа
- Land elections in Saxony-Anhalt have begun, which could become historic — DW Главное