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A voter dropping a ballot into a ballot box
Image: Robert Michael/dpa/picture allianceImage: Robert Michael/dpa/picture alliance

Regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia

Germany is paying close attention to results of two state elections in eastern Germany ahead of a nationwide vote set for 2025. The far-right populist AfD made gains in Saxony and Thuringia.

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News

August 31, 2024

Germany: Anti-far-right protests held ahead of state polls

August 30, 2024

German politician hit with paint ahead of state election

August 21, 2024

Germany: In Thuringia, Merz repeats CDU won't ally with AfD

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

A CU of Michael Kretschmer, leader of the CDU in Saxony and also the current state premier

Kretschmer: 'We have every reason to celebrate'

Kretschmer: 'We have every reason to celebrate'

The leader of the CDU in Saxony, also the current state premier, thanked party workers and supporters.
PoliticsSeptember 1, 202406:20 min
An AfD logo on a banner at a polling spot

Höcke: AfD 'ready' for government duties

Höcke: AfD 'ready' for government duties

The leader of the AfD in Thuringia told public broadcaster ARD that he wants to head up a coalition government.
PoliticsSeptember 1, 202401:51 min
A Carníval float showing Alice Weidel and Sahra Wagenknecht's heads on a car steered by Vladimir Putin with blood on his hands

Russia's best friends in Germany: AfD and BSW

Russia's best friends in Germany: AfD and BSW

The far-right AfD and left-wing Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance oppose support for Ukraine — a popular stance with voters.
PoliticsSeptember 1, 2024
A view of Saxony's State Premier Michael Kretschmer speaking into twin microphones

Projections indicate lead for CDU in Saxony

Projections indicate lead for CDU in Saxony

DW's Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner reports from Dresden.
PoliticsSeptember 1, 202405:59 min
A CU of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) top candidate in Thuringia, Björn Höcke

Germany's far-right AfD wins first state election

Germany's far-right AfD wins first state election

DW Chief Political Correspondent Nina Haase reports from Erfurt in the state of Thuringia.
PoliticsSeptember 1, 202404:35 min
A BSW poster featuring Sarah Wagenknecht and proclaiming her party gives security a home

'A one-woman show,' the Sahra Wagenknecht phenomenon

'A one-woman show,' the Sahra Wagenknecht phenomenon

She may be controversial, but her new party’s success in eastern Germany could change the country’s political landscape.
PoliticsSeptember 1, 2024
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Skip next section A closer look

A closer look

Alternative for Germany (AfD)

Germany's far-right populist AfD was projected to win regional elections in Thuringia and finish just behind the center-right CDU in Saxony. It's the first time a far-right party won a state election since World War II.

Björn Höcke

The AfD's Björn Höcke: A 'fascist' wins election

The AfD's Björn Höcke: A 'fascist' wins election

Björn Höcke, leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany in the eastern state of Thuringia is set to take the reins.
PoliticsSeptember 1, 2024
In Görlitz an AfD campaign poster reading 'Security instead of Chaos'

Germany's regional elections threaten Scholz’s coalition

Germany's regional elections threaten Scholz’s coalition

The far-right AfD could win three eastern state elections, dealing a blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition.
PoliticsAugust 31, 2024
The flags of Ukraine and Russia

Foreign policy dominates regional elections in Germany

Foreign policy dominates regional elections in Germany

Why is Russia’s war in Ukraine high on the agenda in German regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia?
PoliticsAugust 31, 202403:07 min
View of an elderly man placing a candle at a makeshift memorial

Germany debates migration after Solingen attack

Germany debates migration after Solingen attack

Opposition politicians propose options to severely reform Germany's migration laws following the Solingen knife attack.
PoliticsAugust 29, 202403:13 min
Riot police defend a Mosque in Sunderland

Islamophobia surges online as Europe struggles to respond

Islamophobia surges online as Europe struggles to respond

Far-right figures misuse recent stabbings in Solingen and Southport to push conspiracy theories and incite hate.
PoliticsAugust 29, 2024
Vorschaubild Explainer Wie tickt der Osten?

The German far-right leader with anti-democratic ties

The German far-right leader with anti-democratic ties

Far-right politician Björn Höcke wants to become the leader of the German state of Thuringia.
PoliticsAugust 29, 202404:56 min
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

AfD election campaign poster in Altenburg in Thuringia

Germany: Immigrants in east wary of rising far-right AfD

The far-right, anti-immigration AfD party is set for election victory in two eastern states. Most immigrants are worried
PoliticsAugust 28, 2024
Sahra Wagenknecht giving a speech in June 2024

Why the populist BSW is gaining ground in eastern Germany

The brand new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is gaining traction. Many of its positions overlap with the far right.
PoliticsAugust 23, 2024
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