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Could the AfD become Germany's first far-right party to lead a state since WWII?
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- Polls have opened in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is leading with 41%, aiming to become the first far-right party to control a German state since WWII.
- The AfD Saxony-Anhalt is classified as a "confirmed far-right extremist" group by the state intelligence agency due to its racist and exclusionary policies, including a controversial "remigration" plan targeting immigrants and minorities.
- Winning the most votes may not guarantee power for the AfD, as it would need an absolute majority or coalition partners, which is unlikely given other parties' refusal to cooperate with them.
- The election is highly polarized locally, with some voters supporting the AfD for its strict migration stance, while others fear the party's extreme views and potential impact on social services and historical education.
- Recent events, such as a deadly 2024 attack in Magdeburg linked to a far-right sympathizer, have intensified migration debates and influenced voter sentiments ahead of the election.
