Germany's far-right AfD leads in Saxony-Anhalt state election: exit polls

MAGDEBURG, Germany -- The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won Sunday's state election in Saxony-Anhalt with a record 44.5 percent of the vote, according to an exit poll released by public broadcaster ARD.

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by incumbent state leader Sven Schulze, suffered a heavy blow, plunging to 18.5 percent, down from 37.1 percent in 2021, the poll showed.

The Left party came in third with 9.4 percent, followed by the Greens with 8.9 percent and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) with 8.2 percent.

The newly formed Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) hovered right on the 5-percent threshold to enter the state parliament, while the business-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP) crashed out with just 2.1 percent.

In the 83-seat state parliament, the AfD is projected to secure 39 seats, three seats shy of an absolute majority needed to govern alone.

The AfD's 35-year-old state lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund hailed the result, declaring that "the people have sent a clear signal."

Speaking to ARD, Siegmund also signaled a shift from his pre-election stance of only seeking office through an absolute majority, noting that his party is now open to a coalition.

However, all other mainstream parties have repeatedly ruled out entering a coalition with the AfD. It remains unclear how a viable state government will be formed.