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AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt, then looks for the votes to govern
A sweeping election victory still leaves government formation unsettled.
Saxony-Anhalt is an eastern German state. Alternative for Germany (AfD) wins the election on 6 September; the regional domestic intelligence service classifies it as right-wing extremist. Under the parliamentary system, choosing the state premier still requires support beyond a claim to have won.
AfD has won decisively without securing an outright majority. ARD’s 7 September account of the preliminary result gives it 43.8% of votes and 39 of 83 seats. That makes it central to the struggle over the next government, but leaves it three seats short of an absolute majority.[1]
The week’s significant move comes from the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). ARD reports on 10 September that its state leadership unanimously accepts AfD’s invitation to talks, while CDU, SPD, Greens and Die Linke refuse. The announced subjects include energy and education. Agreeing to talk establishes neither a coalition nor a commitment to support a government.[2]
The opening is already meeting political resistance. On 11 September, Deutschlandfunk reports BSW figures criticising Ulrich Siegmund after comments linking defence equipment with deportations. Claudia Wittig responds that deportations are not a military task. According to the same account, Siegmund tells Welt am Sonntag he also meant vehicles and protective equipment. For people exposed to these policies, the stakes extend well beyond three missing seats. The disagreement does not establish that talks have ended.[4]
How we reached this judgment
What changed
After the 6 September vote, BSW accepts talks, then criticises Siegmund’s deportation comments. Support for a government remains unsettled.
Why it matters
Follow support actually given before declaring a government formed.
Where views differ
AfD
- What it sees
- Turning electoral victory into executive authority.
- What it wants
- Winning support beyond its own members.
- What it omits
- An election result is not a governing agreement.
BSW and the other parties
- What it sees
- Choosing the terms of cooperation.
- What it wants
- BSW accepts talks; the four other named parties refuse.
- What it omits
- Invitations do not establish subsequent commitments.
The provisional judgment
BSW’s opening and its 11 September criticism show possible but contested cooperation; no governing majority is established here.
Movement: New thread
The receipts
The records we consulted and what they establish. Sources can have interests of their own.
- Rekordergebnis in Sachsen-Anhalt: AfD holt Wahlsieg – aber keine absolute MehrheitARD-aktuell / tagesschau · 2026-09-07 · de
The preliminary result gives AfD 43.8% and 39 of 83 seats, short of an absolute majority.
- Nach der Landtagswahl in Sachsen-Anhalt: BSW startet in Gespräche mit AfDARD-aktuell / tagesschau · 2026-09-10 · de
BSW accepts the invitation to talks; CDU, SPD, Greens and Die Linke reject it.
- So könnte die AfD doch eine Regierung in Sachsen-Anhalt bildenSBS · 2026-09-11 · de
The written 11 September programme summary still treats the support AfD needs as an open question.
- AfD-Fraktionschef Siegmund sorgt mit Provokation für Kritik vom BSWDeutschlandfunk · 2026-09-11 · de
Deutschlandfunk reports De Masi and Wittig criticising Siegmund’s comments linking defence equipment and deportations; this does not establish an end to talks.