AfD result in Saxony-Anhalt shocks Berlin, Klingbeil: Government must review its policies

The result of the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt is a direct signal to federal policymakers in Berlin, Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) and deputy chancellor in the coalition government led by Friedrich Merz, said.

Speaking to public broadcaster ZDF, Klingbeil said the result should prompt the federal government to reconsider its political approach.

“The election result is a reason for the federal government to reconsider its policies,” he said, adding: “And rest assured that this is exactly what we will do.”

According to projections, the far-right AfD is expected to win 44.5% of the vote in Saxony, more than double the result forecast for Chancellor Merz’s party. The latter is estimated to secure only 18.5% of the vote, marking a halving compared with its most recent result.