AfD Wins Historic Victory in Thuringia Election

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a historic victory in the Thuringia state election, capturing between 30.5% and 33.5% of the vote, marking the first time a far-right party has won a regional election in Germany since World War II. The AfD also performed strongly in Saxony, nearly tying with the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at around 31.5%. Despite the AfD's electoral success, other parties have refused to form coalitions with them, making it unlikely for the AfD to govern. This result is seen as a significant barometer for the upcoming 2025 federal elections and reflects widespread dissatisfaction with Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government. Additionally, a newly-formed leftist party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), gained substantial support, further complicating the political landscape in these states. These results underscore a growing rejection of mainstream political parties and a shift towards anti-immigrant, nationalist views in Germany's eastern regions.