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Image: Robert Michael/dpa/picture allianceImage: 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 AfD party has a strong anti-immigration focus. Classified as a "suspected" far-right extremist organization, it is topping opinion polls in several eastern German states.

A close-up of fingers touching a visa page of a passport, in Berlin, Germany

Germany approves more professional visas amid labor shortage

Germany approves more professional visas amid labor shortage

The EU's largest economy is set to grant 200,000 visas for skilled job seekers this year following immigration reforms.
MigrationNovember 17, 2024
A person holds a smartphone in their lap, looking at an image of AfD leader Alice Weidel

How will social media shape Germany's election campaign?

How will social media shape Germany's election campaign?

With a snap election slated for February 23, Germany is debating how social media should be used in the campaign.
PoliticsNovember 17, 2024
Scholz speaking to Merz on the sidelines of a debate in the Bundestag parliament

Germany's election campaigning kicks off in parliament

Germany's election campaigning kicks off in parliament

Chancellor Scholz wants opposition help to pass legislation before the election, but the conservative CDU is reluctant.
PoliticsNovember 13, 2024
Olaf Scholz and Friedrich Merz speaking to each other in the Bundestag. Archive image from 2023.

Germany: Scholz open to new talks with CDU leader Merz

Germany: Scholz open to new talks with CDU leader Merz

An ally said the chancellor would be willing to speak with the CDU head — after handling urgent Bundestag business.
PoliticsNovember 9, 2024
Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, gives a statement before a session of the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, in Berlin, Germany, November 8, 2024.

Germany's coalition collapse: Merz's CDU ready to take power

Germany's coalition collapse: Merz's CDU ready to take power

Riding high in the polls, the center-right Christian Democrats are eager to fight a federal election campaign.
PoliticsNovember 8, 2024
AfD leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel at the far-right party's convention in Essen

Germany's far-right AfD looks to capitalize on snap election

Germany's far-right AfD looks to capitalize on snap election

Though unlikely to govern, how does the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party want to reach German voters?
PoliticsNovember 8, 2024
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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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