AfD eyes historic win in Saxony-Anhalt while massive protests loom ahead of party congress

The far‑right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is close to a breakthrough in the September state elections in Saxony‑Anhalt, where pollsters place its support at roughly 40 %. If smaller parties fail to clear the 5 % threshold, the AfD could form a regional government on its own, or force traditional parties into a fragile coalition to keep it out of power. Analysts warn that an AfD victory would have repercussions beyond the state, potentially influencing decisions in the Bundesrat and shaping Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s policy agenda.

Security services anticipate large‑scale demonstrations in Erfurt ahead of the party’s upcoming congress. Police estimates suggest up to 50,000 protesters may gather, with concerns that as many as 2,500 left‑wing extremists could attempt violent clashes similar to the 2017 G20 Hamburg protests. Authorities are preparing extensive road‑blocking measures and heightened police deployment to protect the event.

The AfD’s surge, now polling above the ruling coalition at about 28 % nationally, is fueling both political momentum and heightened public opposition, drawing participation from trade unions, religious groups, climate activists and anti‑fascist networks from Germany and neighboring countries.