MAGDEBURG, Germany – The recent state election in Saxony‑Anhalt has produced an unexpected partnership possibility. The far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerged as the largest party with 39 of the 83 seats in the state parliament, but it still needs coalition partners to form a government.
BSW clears the 5% threshold and offers to talk to all parties
The small left‑ist group Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) secured just enough votes to pass the 5% entry barrier, giving it a foothold in the legislature for the first time. Party leader Thomas Schulze told Reuters that the BSW has been clear from the start that it will engage with every party, including the AfD, to influence policy.
“We have made no secret that we will talk with all parties. The AfD is part of that,” Schulze said. He added that the mainstream parties’ refusal to work with the AfD is “undemocratic,” echoing concerns that the traditional “firewall” approach limits voter representation.
Shared policy priorities bridge the ideological gap
Despite their stark ideological differences, the AfD and BSW share several policy goals. Both oppose mass migration, argue that it harms local workers, and criticize mainstream media narratives. They also call for an end to German financial and military support for Ukraine and seek to restore ties with Russia.
BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht, a former Die Linke member, said the party intends to use any majorities it can help secure to improve everyday life for citizens. “We hope there are now majorities in the Magdeburg state parliament in favour of a change of course in energy policy, an end to sanctions against Russia, better education and a fundamental reform of public service broadcasting,” she said.
Historical context and potential challenges
The BSW was formed in 2024 by Wagenknecht and nine others who split from Die Linke, the main far‑left party in Germany. While the BSW’s platform is rooted in social conservatism and a focus on workers’ rights, its willingness to cooperate with the AfD marks a departure from the traditional left‑right divide.
In the neighboring state of Thuringia, the BSW previously joined a coalition with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU conservatives and the Social Democrats, but internal disputes over working with the CDU led to a splinter group breaking away. Wagenknecht herself has expressed a preference for collaborating with the AfD rather than the CDU.
AfD’s reaction and the road ahead
AfD leader Siegmund, speaking after the election, dismissed the BSW as “not part of the solution but part of the problem.” Nevertheless, Schulze remains optimistic about the partnership, stating, “The AfD won the election, Mr. Siegmund is the winner. It’s his job to form a government.”
German domestic intelligence continues to label the AfD as an extremist organization, a designation that could complicate any formal coalition talks. The coming weeks will reveal whether the BSW’s overtures can translate into a workable governing alliance or whether the traditional parties will maintain their firewall against the far‑right.
Implications for German politics
If the AfD secures a governing coalition with BSW support, it would be the first time the party leads a state government, potentially reshaping the political landscape in eastern Germany. Such a development could influence national debates on immigration, energy policy, and Germany’s stance toward Russia and Ukraine.
Observers will watch closely as Saxony‑Anhalt’s new parliament convenes, noting how the balance of power shifts and whether other state legislatures might see similar cross‑ideological alliances.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
