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Germany: 'Hard to say' if AfD win the result of protest vote

Germany: 'Hard to say' if AfD win the result of protest vote
France 24 Monday 07 September 2026, 08:44 UTC By FRANCE24 1 min read
Key Points

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged into first place in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, exit polls showed, putting a far-right party within reach of power at the state level for the first time since World War Two. However, France 24’s correspondent in Berlin, Nick Holdsworth, says it is “hard to say” if the victory is more the result of dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s governing conservatives, or an explicit endorsement of the AfD.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged into first place in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, exit polls showed, putting a far-right party within reach of power at the state level for the first time since World War Two. However, France 24’s correspondent in Berlin, Nick Holdsworth, says it is “hard to say” if the victory is more the result of dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s governing conservatives, or an explicit endorsement of the AfD.
Germany (LOCATION) AfD (ORG) The Alternative for Germany (ORG) Saxony-Anhalt (LOCATION) World War Two (EVENT) France (LOCATION) Berlin (LOCATION) Nick Holdsworth (PERSON) Friedrich Merz (PERSON)
Originally published by France 24 Read original →

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