German Union parties face decline after Saxony-Anhalt election defeat

Following a significant electoral defeat in Saxony-Anhalt, where the CDU/CSU Union received only 17.2 percent of the vote, the party faces internal and external pressures. Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei stated that the faction remains “very stable and very united,” emphasizing the need to focus on legislative tasks such as the federal budget and pension reforms rather than rhetoric.

Recent Insa polling indicates the Union has reached its lowest level in five years, dropping to 19.5 percent. In contrast, the AfD maintains a stable 29 percent in the polls. Regarding the aftermath of the Saxony-Anhalt election, 42 percent of respondents believe elected parties should accept coalition talks offered by the AfD, while 39 percent are opposed. Support for engaging with the AfD varies significantly by party affiliation, with the highest support among BSW and FDP voters, and the strongest opposition among Green, Left, and SPD supporters.