Far-Right Surge: AfD's Historic Win Sparks Political Tensions in Germany's East

A far-right party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), won a state election for the first time in post-WWII Germany, taking 32-33% of the vote in Thuringia. Their rise has heightened political tensions, while traditional parties struggle to form coalitions. New parties also emerged, complicating the political landscape further.

In a historic shift, the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a state election win in Thuringia, marking the first such victory since World War II. Projections indicate they garnered 32-33% of the vote, far surpassing the center-right Christian Democratic Union's (CDU) 24%.

In neighboring Saxony, the CDU leads with just over 31%, while AfD closely trails at approximately 31%. These results signal growing discontent with Chancellor Olaf Scholz's national government and suggest a significant political realignment in Germany's east.

The emergence of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or BSW, further complicates the political landscape, capturing 16% of the vote in Thuringia and 12% in Saxony. With other parties refusing to coalition with AfD, forming new state governments poses a major challenge.

(With inputs from agencies.)