Jump to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJames C. ReynoldsSunday 06 September 2026 11:05 BSTA state election is taking place in Germany (Getty)Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is on course to secure a historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, polling at 40 per cent of the vote, which is double the support it received five years ago.A victory for the AfD, which has been designated as an 'extremist right-wing' party by German intelligence, would mark the first time the far-right has seized power in Germany since the Second World War.Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) face a major political crisis, with the AfD holding a 10 to 15-point lead over the CDU while mainstream parties struggle to form a viable governing coalition.Under its 'Vision 2026' manifesto, an AfD-led state government would institute sweeping hardline reforms, including creating a dedicated deportation task force, segregating refugee and disabled children in schools, and restricting Islamic expression.The party also intends to enforce a patriotic cultural policy in education by mandating daily flag-raising and national anthem singing, dismantling the public broadcasting system, and removing war refugee status for Ukrainians.In fullGermany braced for political earthquake as far-right AfD eyes first taste of powerMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in