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A voter dropping a ballot into a ballot box
Image: Robert Michael/dpa/picture alliance

State elections in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg

Germany is paying close attention to results of two state elections in eastern Germany ahead of a nationwide vote set for 2025. The far-right populist AfD made gains in Saxony and Thuringia.

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Reports & Analysis

Jürgen Treutler (left) and Björn Höcke entering state parliament on September 26

Germany: Far-right AfD sparks chaos in state parliament

Germany: Far-right AfD sparks chaos in state parliament

The AfD is staging a political scandal that seems well prepared. The consequences are likely to be far-reaching.
PoliticsSeptember 27, 2024
The AfD's lead candidate for Brandenburg Hans-Christoph Berndt (center), alongside party leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel

Germany: AfD adds to string of successes in Brandenburg

Germany: AfD adds to string of successes in Brandenburg

In Germany's third state elections in 2024, the anti-immigration AfD party again received close to 30% of the vote.
PoliticsSeptember 24, 2024
Olaf Scholz with a microphone standing in front of a crowd. A large, red "Olaf Scholz" sign in the background

Germany's Olaf Scholz under pressure after state election

Germany's Olaf Scholz under pressure after state election

Chancellor Scholz's governing coalition has seen support wane and would not be able to win an election today.
PoliticsSeptember 23, 202403:49 min
An election campaign billboard of the AfD party showing a Germany flag and the slogan Germany first

Far-right gains in east Germany could deal blow to economy

Far-right gains in east Germany could deal blow to economy

The far-right AfD has again made gains in a vote in eastern Germany, stirring worries about the region's economy.
BusinessSeptember 23, 2024
Brandenburg state premier Dietmar Woidke stands next to an AfD campaign poster

German state election: Far-right AfD comes close second

German state election: Far-right AfD comes close second

Germany's Social Democrats finished just ahead of the far-right AfD party in the Brandenburg state election.
PoliticsSeptember 23, 202402:23 min
Dietmar Woidke, state premier of Brandenburg

Germany: Brandenburg election brings relief for ruling SPD

Germany: Brandenburg election brings relief for ruling SPD

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats managed to fight off the far-right AfD in Brandenburg's regional vote.
PoliticsSeptember 23, 2024
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Skip next section A closer look

A closer look

Alternative for Germany (AfD)

Germany's far-right populist Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is the second-largest party in Germany's parliament.

A view of Germany's Bundestag

Security loopholes in Germany's parliament spark concern

Security loopholes in Germany's parliament spark concern

Senior lawmakers have told DW that more needs to be done to protect the parliament from foreign and domestic threats.
PoliticsJuly 10, 202502:56 min
Lars Klingbeil, Friedrich Merz, Alice Weidel during the budget debate on July 9, 2025

German Bundestag: Attacks and insults dominate debate

German Bundestag: Attacks and insults dominate debate

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been in power for two months. According to the opposition, there's lots to criticize.
PoliticsJuly 9, 2025
Friedrich Merz during the budget debate

Germany's Merz defends record so far in budget speech

Germany's Merz defends record so far in budget speech

German Chancellor Merz has defended his government's record so far, and clashed with the far right.
PoliticsJuly 9, 2025
Police officers walking behind participants of a Pride march who are carrying Pride flags

Far-right sparks fear at Pride events in Germany

Far-right sparks fear at Pride events in Germany

Concerns over far-right hostility loom over Pride events in eastern Germany.
SocietyJuly 4, 202505:02 min
Silhouette of cameraman against wall with AfD logo

Germany: Social Democrats urge ban on far-right AfD party

Germany: Social Democrats urge ban on far-right AfD party

Germany's Social Democrats say the first legal steps should be taken to ban the far-right AfD party as unconstitutional.
PoliticsJune 30, 2025
An archive photo of an extreme-right protest from 2015

In eastern Germany, youths embrace nationalism, extremism

In eastern Germany, youths embrace nationalism, extremism

In many parts of eastern Germany, Nazi symbols have become a common sight. DW went to Dessau to find out why.
SocietyJune 30, 2025
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

An AfD election campaign poster

How Germany's far-right AfD is reaching young voters

The far-right Alternative for Germany is hoping for another strong showing in Brandenburg's upcoming state election.
PoliticsSeptember 19, 202402:38 min
CDU politician Adeline Abimnwi Awemo hangs an election poster with her face on it.

Brandenburg: Black politician takes on German far-right AfD

Can Cameroonian-born politician Adeline Abimnwi Awemo help turn the tide against the far-right surge in Brandenburg?
PoliticsSeptember 17, 2024
Sahra Wagenknecht amid reporters

Germany's new BSW party shakes up political landscape

The BSW has only been around since early 2024 but won 16% of the vote in Thuringia's state election.
PoliticsSeptember 7, 202402:48 min
A view of Erfurt's mosque with its minaret still covered in scaffolding

AfD to prevent Thuringia's first mosque?

Muslims in eastern Germany are anxious following AfD victories in state elections.
SocietySeptember 6, 202405:26 min
Hand holding a mobile phone on whose display a video of AFD politician Alice Weidel can be seen on the TikTok platform

TikTok likely helped far right in German elections: analysts

The far-right AfD was twice as effective at reaching first-time voters on the app than all other parties combined.
PoliticsSeptember 2, 2024
Sahra Wagenknecht giving a speech in June 2024

What is Germany's populist BSW party?

The brand new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is gaining traction. Many of its positions overlap with the far right.
PoliticsSeptember 2, 2024
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