What is Happening
Exit polls indicate a significant victory for the German far-right party in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, although they did not achieve an absolute majority. This result, reported by Belgian newspaper L'Echo among others, shows a doubling of their vote share compared to the previous elections five years ago, marking a notable shift in Germany's political landscape. The party secured 23.2% of the votes according to initial exit polls, making them the second-largest party in the state. Saxony-Anhalt's Minister-President, Reiner Haseloff of the CDU, had previously warned of a "radical shift" in political majorities. The results for the German far-right party are indicative of broader trends within Europe.
Doubling of Votes
The doubling of the far-right party's vote share in Saxony-Anhalt, from 11.8% in 2016 to 23.2% now, is a remarkable development. This result exceeded pre-election expectations, with some polls even predicting the party to be the largest. The CDU remains the largest party with approximately 36% of the votes, but will face a more complex coalition formation due to the far-right's growth.
Background
Saxony-Anhalt, a state in eastern Germany, has long been known as a region where far-right sentiments are more strongly represented than in other parts of the country. The recent election result confirms this trend and demonstrates the party's growing influence in this specific geographical context. This development raises questions about future coalition formation and the stability of the state government. Analysts within the European Parliament closely monitor such developments, given the potential implications for broader European politics. These elections were considered an important test of the national mood leading up to the federal elections in September.
The election results in Saxony-Anhalt are representative of a wider discontent among certain voter groups in former East Germany. Economic factors, demographic changes, and migration policies play a role. Traditional parties face the challenge of addressing this discontent without undermining democratic values and norms. This is a delicate balance that could influence the political future of Germany and potentially that of Europe.
What this Means for Belgium
Although the elections in Saxony-Anhalt are specifically German, developments of far-right parties in neighboring countries always resonate in Belgium. Belgian political parties and observers, such as those from the federal government or the Flemish and Walloon regions, will analyze these results to gain insight into broader European trends and potential shifts in electoral behavior. The growth of the far-right can influence Belgian political discussions, particularly in Flanders, where similar parties already have significant support, as evidenced by election results published by Statbel.
Responses from the Belgian government and VRT NWS will undoubtedly be featured in reports on these European shifts. It is important for Belgium to monitor the stability and direction of German politics, given the close economic and political ties between the two countries, as regularly highlighted by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) in its analyses of international trade. Meanwhile, the Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI) monitors atmospheric pressure, which has nothing to do with the political pressure on the European continent but underscores the need for stable relations.
"The far-right party in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, according to exit polls, obtained 23.2% of the votes, which is a doubling compared to five years ago (11.8%). It is thus the second-largest party in the state." — L'Echo, 2021
