The pro-Russian right-wing populist party «Alternative for Germany» won the election in Saxony-Anhalt, securing 39 of the 83 seats in the state parliament. An absolute majority requires 42 seats. The other parties are fundamentally opposed to forming a coalition with the AfD, as the German security services have classified its local branch as potentially far-right extremist.
Briefly about the main points
- The AdN secured the largest number of seats in the new Landtag.
- The party is three seats short of an absolute majority.
- Other political groups have ruled out a coalition with the AfD.
- The five other parties hold a total of 44 parliamentary seats.
- The AdN is calling for the lifting of sanctions against Russia.
A majority without the AdN is possible, but it will be difficult to reach an agreement
According to the published results, the five other parties together hold 44 parliamentary seats. Such a majority is technically possible, but it would require coordination between political forces with significantly differing positions.
The AfD’s stance on Russia and Ukraine does not directly alter the federal government’s policy
AdN openly calls for the repeal of sanctions against Russia, to resume trade in and the purchase of Russian gas. The party is also opposed to supplying weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and to strikes deep within Russian territory.
Sanctions policy and decisions on military support for Ukraine fall within the remit of the federal government; therefore, the government of a single federal state cannot change them on its own. Saxony-Anhalt’s influence in these matters could be primarily political, particularly through the state’s four votes in the Bundesrat.
