GERMANY-POLITICS-VOTE-STATE-SAXONY-ANHALT
People gather to demonstrate for an open society based on solidarity during a festival of democracy in Magdeburg, eastern Germany, on September 5, 2026, one day before regional elections in the eastern federal state of Saxony-Anhalt. Germany faces a landmark regional election on September 6, 2026 in the ex-communist east where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is easily expected to win and has its sights on heading its first state government. While it is far from assured that Alternative for Germany will win enough votes to rule the state alone, topping the polls in Saxony-Anhalt state would heap pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and spell another boost for the anti-immigration party. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP)