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Germany, polling opens in Saxony-Anhalt for regional elections

More than 1.7 million voters are casting their ballots in Saxony-Anhalt, with high turnout and the AfD as the frontrunner.

6 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Germany, polling opens in Saxony-Anhalt for regional elections — Archive photoPhoto: Michael Lucan · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 de

In Germany, polling stations have opened in the region of Saxony-Anhalt for the regional elections, a crucial event taking place from 8 AM to 6 PM. Citizens are called to vote to renew the regional parliament, with over 1.7 million voters having the opportunity to express their opinions.

According to data as of noon, voter turnout exceeded 34.7%, a significant increase from the 22.4% recorded in 2021. Polls indicate a strong lead for the far-right party AfD, estimated at 42%, with a 20-point margin over the CDU, the conservative party.

The AfD appears to be aiming for its historic first victory in Saxony-Anhalt, while the CDU, led by outgoing president Sven Schulze, is projected at around 23%. This situation is sparking discussions about the significance of historical memory and the figure of Otto the Great, with Schulze accusing those who want to celebrate him as the 'founder of the German Empire' of instrumentalizing history.

The regional president has commented that the new burial site of Otto the Great in Magdeburg reignites the debate about German memory, just ahead of the elections.

As the AfD prepares to potentially break through the 'wall' imposed by other parties and form a regional government for the first time, today's vote could have significant repercussions for the federal coalition led by conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Expectations are high for this vote, seen as fundamental in the context of post-war Germany, with results that could have broader implications for the country's politics.

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