As Saxony-Anhalt prepares for state elections, the far-right AfD party is gaining support by highlighting economic disparities and immigration concerns.
Key facts
- •The AfD won approximately 20% of the vote in the 2021 state election and is currently the largest opposition party.
- •Saxony-Anhalt has a population of roughly 2.1 million, with just under 800,000 residents in jobs subject to social security contributions.
- •The state's economic output per capita is at 75% of the national average.
- •Foreign nationals accounted for about 9% of the state's population at the end of 2025.
- •The state is currently governed by a coalition of the CDU, SPD, and FDP.
Germany is closely monitoring the upcoming state election in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is polling as a potential winner. The AfD, which the domestic intelligence agency has classified as right-wing extremist, is campaigning on claims that the state has been left behind socially and economically.
By the numbers
Economic Landscape of Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt faces economic challenges, including an unemployment rate higher than the national average and median full-time earnings that fall below the German norm. The state's economic output per capita is approximately three-quarters of the national average, and its growth has generally lagged behind the rest of the country in recent years. Key industries include the chemical sector, centered around Leuna, Merseburg, and Bitterfeld-Wolfen, as well as machinery and plant engineering. Tourism also plays a significant role, with destinations such as the Harz Mountains and UNESCO World Heritage sites in Quedlinburg supporting the retail and hospitality sectors. While the state has a higher proportion of pensioners than the national average, many rely solely on state pensions, lacking the additional company or private retirement income often found in western Germany.
Immigration and Political Trends
The AfD has centered its campaign on immigration, warning of foreign influence despite the state having a relatively low percentage of non-German residents compared to other German regions. At the end of 2025, foreign nationals made up about 9% of the population, roughly half the share seen in North Rhine-Westphalia. Data also indicates that the proportion of foreign nationals among welfare recipients in the state remains low. Despite the economic and political rhetoric, the state has seen population growth in recent years due to positive net migration for both foreign and German citizens. Meanwhile, traditional mainstream parties like the CDU and SPD are losing support, with the SPD approaching the 5% threshold required to win seats in the state parliament.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Deutsche Welle Business.
