Saxony-Anhalt election: AfD leads polls and aims for first state premier
Polls give the right-wing AfD roughly 40% as about 1.7 million voters cast ballots; voting closes at 18:00 and first results are expected tonight.
About 1.7 million voters are casting ballots today in the state election in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt. Polls forecast a convincing lead for the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), at roughly 40 percent.
What the polls say
AfD, which in the state has been designated as an unconstitutional organisation, is openly targeting an absolute majority and hopes to install the first state premier from its ranks.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is polling second at about 23 percent. All parties expected to enter the state parliament have ruled out forming a coalition with AfD.
Voting closes at 18:00 and the first results are expected this evening.
If AfD achieves an absolute majority, it would be in a position to form the state government alone — a development that would mark a major shift in regional politics and draw attention across Germany.
Photo: press material from the event
