An election in eastern Germany on Sunday could produce the first far-right state governor in the country’s post-World War II history. The vote comes as Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his unpopular national government struggle to dispel what Merz admits is “widespread moroseness” in the country. Several polls show a large lead for the anti-migration Alternative for Germany, or AfD, ahead of the election to the state legislature in Saxony-Anhalt.
Ulrich Sigmund, the top candidate for the “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) party in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, enters the stage at a campaign barbecue hosted by the party in Moeser, Germany, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Ulrich Sigmund, the top candidate for the “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) party in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, takes photos with supporters at a campaign barbecue hosted by the party in Moeser, Germany, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Sven Schulze, the governor of Saxony-Anhalt state and the center-right Christian Democratic Union’s top candidate in the upcoming state election, poses with a beer near Hop Queen Katharina at the Hop Day Photo in Beesenstedt, Germany, Aug. 19, 2026. (Heiko Rebsch/dpa via AP)
