AfD Secures Election Win in Saxony-Anhalt, Drawing Praise from Musk

Ulrich Siegmund, the lead AfD candidate, praised Musk for his political perspective, signaling a desire for constructive cooperation should the party take control of the state government. Musk, who has previously labeled the party the only hope for Germany, responded to the election results with a brief message of congratulations on his platform, X. While the AfD fell short of an absolute majority—projected to hold 39 of 83 seats—their performance marks a significant shift in German politics, positioning them to potentially lead a state for the first time since 1945.

The result has drawn sharp international reaction. Former Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth criticized Donald Trump for celebrating the outcome, citing concerns over the party’s historical associations and rhetoric. Within Germany, the Christian Democratic Union finished a distant second with 17.1%. Despite the AfD’s electoral gains, the surrounding political establishment remains firm in its refusal to partner with the party, which has built its platform on aggressive anti-immigration policies and proposals to curtail public broadcasting and asylum rights. French Europe minister Benjamin Haddad described the surge as a serious moment for the continent, emphasizing that nationalism and xenophobia offer no viable path forward for the region.