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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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Deutschland Landtagswahl Thüringen Björn Höcke (AfD)

Deutschland Landtagswahl Thüringen Björn Höcke (AfD)

Germany's far-right AfD wins big in state elections

The Alternative for Germany takes the lead in the eastern state of Thuringia. In Saxony, it just loses out to the CDU.

Björn Höcke

Björn Höcke

Germany's far-right AfD: 'We have a clear mandate to govern'

The AfD is celebrating record election results in Thuringia and Saxony but is unlikely to form or join a government.

A person at a table hidden by the walls of a voting booth

A person at a table hidden by the walls of a voting booth

German elections: Who won, who lost — results by the numbers

DW looks at which parties won and which lost in regional elections in two eastern German state's elections.

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

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

Kretschmer: 'We have every reason to celebrate'

The leader of the CDU in Saxony, also the current state premier, thanked party workers and supporters.

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.

A Carníval float showing Alice Weidel and Sahra Wagenknecht's heads on a car steered by Vladimir Putin with blood on his hands

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

The far-right AfD and left-wing Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance oppose support for Ukraine — a popular stance with voters.

A view of Saxony's State Premier Michael Kretschmer speaking into twin microphones

A view of Saxony's State Premier Michael Kretschmer speaking into twin microphones

Projections indicate lead for CDU in Saxony

DW's Chief Political Editor Michaela Küfner reports from Dresden.

A CU of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) top candidate in Thuringia, Björn Höcke

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

DW Chief Political Correspondent Nina Haase reports from Erfurt in the state of Thuringia.

A BSW poster featuring Sarah Wagenknecht and proclaiming her party gives security a home

A BSW poster featuring Sarah Wagenknecht and proclaiming her party gives security a home

'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.

Protesters hold up a banner against the far-right during a protest in Erfurt, Thuringia state, Germany, on August 31. 2024

Protesters hold up a banner against the far-right during a protest in Erfurt, Thuringia state, Germany, on August 31. 2024

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

Ahead of the Saxony and Thuringia elections, protesters rallied in Erfurt against the anti-immigration AfD party.

In Görlitz an AfD campaign poster reading 'Security instead of Chaos'

In Görlitz an AfD campaign poster reading 'Security instead of Chaos'

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.

The flags of Ukraine and Russia

The flags of Ukraine and Russia

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?

Sahra Wagenknecht (R), chair of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), on stage after the paint attack at a campaign event in Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany, on August 29, 2024.

Sahra Wagenknecht (R), chair of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), on stage after the paint attack at a campaign event in Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany, on August 29, 2024.

German politician hit with paint ahead of state election

The attack comes days before elections in two eastern German states where her party is expected to emerge as kingmaker.

Vorschaubild Explainer Wie tickt der Osten?

Vorschaubild Explainer Wie tickt der Osten?

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.

AfD election campaign poster in Altenburg in Thuringia

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

makeshift memorial of flowers and candles at the site of a knife attack in Solingen

makeshift memorial of flowers and candles at the site of a knife attack in Solingen

Solingen knife attack heats up German election campaign

A suspected Islamist stabbed three people to death. This has reignited the debate on migration and security.

Parteien in Deutschland zur Wahl - Wahlzettel mit Stift | Illustration

Parteien in Deutschland zur Wahl - Wahlzettel mit Stift | Illustration

Why are the German state elections so important?

The AfD could win three state elections. It would be the first victory for a far-right party in post-war Germany.

Statues of Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Friedrich Schiller on Weimar's central square, Theaterplatz

Statues of Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Friedrich Schiller on Weimar's central square, Theaterplatz

Thuringia: A small German state with big political impact

Germany's eastern state of Thuringia is famous for many things. It is also a stronghold of the far right.

Semperoper

Semperoper

Saxony votes: What you need to know about this German state

Eastern Germany's Saxony is known for baroque buildings and beautiful scenery, but also for right-wing extremism.

Sahra Wagenknecht giving a speech in June 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.

Friedrich Merz (r) and Mario Voigt attends a CDU rally

Friedrich Merz (r) and Mario Voigt attends a CDU rally

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

The CDU leader Friedrich Merz is touring eastern states ahead of votes where the far-right AfD is likely to fare well.

Reinhard Schramm, head of the Jewish community in Erfurt

Reinhard Schramm, head of the Jewish community in Erfurt

Rise of far-right AfD worries Germany's Jewish community

The far-right AfD has a chance of winning all three of Germany's upcoming state elections, alarming Jewish people.

AfD campaign poster reading 'It is time for peace'

AfD campaign poster reading 'It is time for peace'

Foreign policy shapes regional elections in eastern Germany

Many East Germans voters are skeptical about support for Ukraine and the stationing of US missiles in Germany.

DW Landtagswahlen l Fokus Europa l Migration, AfD l Videostill

DW Landtagswahlen l Fokus Europa l Migration, AfD l Videostill

Germany: Fear of the AfD

Foreign students in Cottbus are choosing to live in protected communities because they fear attacks.

Deutschland Brandenburg Kundgebung der AfD

Deutschland Brandenburg Kundgebung der AfD

Why is the far-right AfD so powerful in eastern Germany?

Why is the far-right AfD so powerful in eastern Germany?

Adeline Abimnwi Awemo speaking to media after she was attacked

Adeline Abimnwi Awemo speaking to media after she was attacked

German CDU candidate attacked, racially abused on campaign

Adeline Abimnwi Awemo, who was born in Cameroon, is a candidate in the upcoming Brandenburg state election.

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Scholz launches regional election campaign

In the east German state of Saxony, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is ahead in the polls.

Nico Köhler next to an 'anti woke' election campaign poster

Nico Köhler next to an 'anti woke' election campaign poster

Chemnitz: A stronghold of Germany's far-right AfD

The far-right AfD has become the strongest political force even in Chemnitz, this year's European Capital of Culture.

Doku Im Einsatz für die NATO

Doku Im Einsatz für die NATO

Defending NATO borders in Eastern Europe

Keeping the war in eastern Europe away from NATO borders is one of the German Bundeswehr’s jobs.

Police officers stand guard in front of activists at Tesla factory in Grünheide, Germany

Police officers stand guard in front of activists at Tesla factory in Grünheide, Germany

Berlin Tesla activists say civil disobedience is only option

Police are braced for further protests against expansion at the Tesla factory site in Grünheide near Berlin.

Protesters running past a police officer

Protesters running past a police officer

Protesters attempt to storm Tesla's factory near Berlin

A police spokesperson said the situation remained "dynamic."

Matthias Ecke speaks during an SPD party conference

Matthias Ecke speaks during an SPD party conference

Germany: SPD's EU election candidate attacked in Dresden

A German politician suffered broken bones and was hospitalized after being attacked in the eastern state of Saxony.

Grünheide Proteste gegen Erweiterung Tesla-Fabrik

Grünheide Proteste gegen Erweiterung Tesla-Fabrik

Battling Tesla's Gigafactory

Tesla builds its best-selling electric car in Brandenburg, Germany. Environmentalists are protesting the expansion.

Thuringia's AfD leader Björn Höcke (left) and CDU leader Mario Voigt clashed on television.

Thuringia's AfD leader Björn Höcke (left) and CDU leader Mario Voigt clashed on television.

Germany: State CDU, AfD leaders clash in Thuringia TV duel

The state leaders of the conservative CDU and the far-right AfD in Thuringia traded accusations in a TV debate.

A white-haired man in a warm gray coat stands at the entrance to his wooden house

A white-haired man in a warm gray coat stands at the entrance to his wooden house

Local lawmakers increasingly insulted, threatened, attacked

Local politicians are facing insults, slander and even death threats. Some of the lawmakers, serving mostly honorary positions, want to give up — a problem for German democracy.

The PCK oil refinery in Schwedt, Germany, seen at night

The PCK oil refinery in Schwedt, Germany, seen at night

Germany tells Rosneft 'find buyer or lose refinery'

Berlin has renewed threats to expropriate Rosneft's Schwedt refinery in eastern Germany if it fails to find a buyer with

Olaf Scholz stands in the otherwise empty cargo bay of a converted Airbus plane, gesturing wide with both hands, at the Elbe Aircraft Factory in Dresden. February 29, 2024.

Olaf Scholz stands in the otherwise empty cargo bay of a converted Airbus plane, gesturing wide with both hands, at the Elbe Aircraft Factory in Dresden. February 29, 2024.

Germany: Olaf Scholz visits Saxony, a far-right stronghold

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is visiting the capital of Saxony ahead of a vote that has Germany's mainstream parties on alert.

Uwe Thrum of the AFD

Uwe Thrum of the AFD

AfD loses run-off in first vote since mass-deportation story

AfD has been the target of massive protests of late after a damning expose was published about its plans for governing.