Far-Right AfD Wins Thuringia with 30.5%, First Victory Since WWII; CDU Leads in Saxony

Sep 1, 2024, 04:06 PM

In a significant political shift, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has emerged victorious in the Thuringia state election, marking the first time since World War II that a far-right party has won a state election in Germany. Exit polls indicate that AfD secured 30.5% of the votes in Thuringia, surpassing the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which garnered 24.5%. Meanwhile, in Saxony, the CDU narrowly leads with 31.5%, just ahead of AfD's 30%. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, a new left-conservative party, gained 16% in Thuringia, highlighting a shift in the political landscape. Additionally, the AfD achieved 33.5% in Thuringia according to another exit poll, reflecting a broader trend of increasing support for populist parties in Germany and posing a challenge to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ruling coalition.