Germany's AfD eyes Saxony-Anhalt win as first step

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is banking on a breakthrough in next month's state election to build momentum for a future national victory, the party's co-leader Alice Weidel said on Sunday.



"We will form the government in Saxony-Anhalt," Weidel said in an interview, referring to the eastern German state that votes on September 6.



While the party's lead candidate in the state has stated the AfD's aim to govern alone there, Weidel went further, expressing confidence the party will secure the necessary majority to govern in the state alone.



A recent Infratest dimap poll shows AfD with 41% support, well ahead of 24% for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative Christian Democrats CDU. Despite its strong showing in some past regional elections, AfD has yet to enter a state or federal government because all other major parties have ruled out cooperation with it.