AfD wins Thuringia election, faces coalition challenges

In a significant political shift, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a historic victory in the Thuringia state election, securing 32.8% of the vote. This marked the first time a far-right party has won a state election in post-World War II Germany. The main opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), followed with 23.6%. Despite this success, the AfD faces substantial challenges in forming a government, as other parties have ruled out coalition possibilities with them. The election results reflect a growing discontent with the current coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, particularly among voters in eastern Germany. The poor performance of the centre-left coalition, which includes the Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats, raises concerns about their stability ahead of the national elections next year. The left-populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) also performed poorly, coming in third. AfD leaders, including Bjoern Hoecke and Alice Weidel, expressed pride in their party's performance, viewing it as a mandate for their policies, particularly on immigration and national security. However, political analysts note that the AfD's exclusion from power is likely, as rival parties are unwilling to collaborate with them, despite their electoral success. The results in Thuringia and neighbouring Saxony indicate a potential shift in the political landscape of Germany, with implications for the upcoming national elections. The AfD's rise underscores the increasing polarization in German politics, as traditional parties grapple with the challenges posed by far-right sentiments among voters.