Riham Alkousaa and Sarah Marsh reported that the Alternative for Germany (AfD) was projected to win its first regional election in Germany since World War Two. However, other parties are likely to prevent them from taking power.
The AfD was expected to win 33.1% of the vote in Thuringia, surpassing the conservatives’ 24.3%, according to ZDF’s projection. In Saxony, the conservatives led with 31.9%, slightly ahead of the AfD.
The election results are a setback for Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition, with all three parties losing votes. The Green and Free Democrat parties are at risk of not reaching the 5% threshold required to remain in parliament.
The final week of the campaign was overshadowed by a tragic knife attack in Solingen, where three people were killed by an illegally residing Syrian national. The anti-immigration stance of the AfD may have gained support following the incident.
AfD leader Alice Weidel declared, “This is the end of the coalition,” referring to the challenging position of the current government.
The left-wing Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) also performed well in the election, aiming for reduced immigration and an end to arming Ukraine.
Given that all parties have ruled out collaborating with the AfD, the BSW could play a crucial role in forming a stable government in the economically challenged eastern states.
The disappointing election outcome for Scholz’s coalition is likely to intensify tensions in the already strained coalition in Berlin as parties prepare for the national election next year.
Weidel believes that the strong performance of the AfD in both states indicates a desire for change and stability in the government.
Thuringia premier Bodo Ramelow, whose Left party suffered in the election despite his personal popularity, emphasized the need for all democratic parties to unite against the normalization of fascism.
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AfD poised for first regional election triumph