AfD Scores Historic Victory in German State Election, Thanks Elon Musk for Support

BERLIN — Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured a historic victory in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, emerging as the strongest political force and intensifying concerns over the growing influence of the far right in German politics.

The AfD won 43.8 percent of the vote, securing 39 of the 83 seats in the state parliament. Although the party fell three seats short of an outright majority, the result represents its strongest performance in a German state election and brings it closer to the possibility of leading a state government.

AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund described the result as a major breakthrough for the party. The election has also placed renewed pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which recorded only 17.2 percent of the vote. Merz’s party has ruled out cooperation with the AfD, maintaining the longstanding political “firewall” against collaboration with the far-right party.

Following the election, AfD figures publicly thanked Elon Musk for his support. Musk congratulated AfD co-leader Alice Weidel on the result on X, prompting Ulrich Siegmund to acknowledge the billionaire’s backing. Musk has previously expressed strong support for the AfD and has used his social media platform to promote the party’s political positions.

The election result has triggered strong reactions across Europe. Several European political leaders warned that the AfD’s success represented a serious challenge to liberal democracy, European unity and efforts to contain nationalist and xenophobic politics.

At the same time, the AfD’s victory has highlighted growing dissatisfaction among voters in eastern Germany, with immigration, economic difficulties, demographic change and frustration with established political parties among the issues influencing the campaign.

Despite its electoral breakthrough, the AfD cannot govern alone without additional parliamentary support. The party’s 39 seats leave it three short of the 42 required for an outright majority, potentially leading to difficult coalition negotiations or other arrangements in the state parliament.

The outcome is widely viewed as a significant political development ahead of further German state elections, with the performance likely to intensify debate over the future direction of Germany’s mainstream parties and their strategy toward the AfD.