AfD Hits Record 42% in Saxony-Anhalt, Leading CDU by 18%

In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD (Alternative for Germany) has reached a record 42% in the most recent INSA poll commissioned by NIUS (conducted from May 5 to 12, 2026). This represents a four-point increase since the end of March and consolidates the party’s dominant position ahead of the regional elections on September 6, 2026. The CDU (Christian Democratic Union) slipped to 24%, widening the gap between the two leading parties to an impressive 18 percentage points.

A separate poll by Infratest dimap from early May showed the AfD at 41% and the CDU at 26%, confirming the same general trend.

The Left (Die Linke) remains stable around 12–13%. Meanwhile, Germany’s traditional main parties face serious challenges in the region: the SPD (Social Democratic Party) sits at just 6–7%, barely above the 5% threshold needed for parliamentary entry, while both the FDP (Free Democratic Party) at 3% and the Greens at 4% are expected to fail to gain representation. Sahra Wagenknecht’s alliance (BSW) is hovering near or just below the threshold with approximately 4%.

With these percentages, the AfD is not only poised to become the strongest party but also likely to secure an absolute majority of seats in the regional parliament. This would mark a historic first for the party in any German federal state. However, other parties have so far strictly maintained the well-known cordon sanitaire against the AfD, which has been officially classified as right-wing extremist by the Saxony-Anhalt state authorities. This raises difficult questions about possible coalitions and governance after September.

The strong showing reflects broader dissatisfaction in eastern Germany with the federal government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as longstanding issues such as economic stagnation, demographics, and immigration.

Source: European Conservative