In Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt state, residents evaluated the AfD's state parliamentary election victory.

Voter Lars Lindestedt stated that the AfD's election campaign led to polarization. The party was not expected to win the election so clearly.

Lindestedt emphasized that the AfD ran a good campaign. "I think it touched a raw nerve with people. It probably addressed the right issues. Many people have social concerns. Everything has become more expensive. Except for paychecks, they remained the same," he stated.

Lindestedt stated that these issues worried people. "I think these could be the most decisive reasons for the AfD's election, the idea that the current situation cannot continue this way," he said.

Lindestedt said it would become clear over time whether the AfD could form a government. "I think it will be difficult because the Left Party, the Greens, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) categorically reject cooperation. Perhaps the only party I think they could cooperate with is the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht – For Reason and Justice (BSW). It is not yet clear whether they will take that step," he commented.

Lindestedt argued that a potential minority government would be bad for the state. "This would only mean stagnation, the state premier being unable to do anything. I don't think the AfD would do that either. So, it will be difficult," he said.

Lindestedt touched upon the effects of federal-level policies on the state election. "It is also often said in the media that (German Chancellor Friedrich) Merz had a significant share in this election defeat. I also think this is a punishment for the federal government's policies. This certainly plays a role. Therefore, I think this could also have effects on other state parliamentary elections," he stated.

Lindestedt expressed that it would be good for a government to be formed in Saxony-Anhalt. "In whatever way possible. It is also a possibility for all remaining parties to come together. This is still better than a minority government. This stagnation would be the worst option," he assessed.

"People want a change"

AfD election official Lukas Daiser said he found the election result "very good."

Daiser stated that during the campaign, he noticed people wanted a new beginning. "People want change because we also see the situation in the country, with increasingly uncontrolled migration, and in the economy, more and more companies are filing for bankruptcy. I believe the AfD will change this situation. That's why the AfD achieved such a big election victory," he commented.

Daiser argued that borders should be secured and that individuals who do not comply with rules or cannot integrate should be deported. "Additionally, economic conditions need to be improved somewhat, meaning tax laws need to be regulated. Such issues are definitely among the AfD's main agenda items," he said.

Daiser noted that migrants who are legally in Germany, working, and abiding by the laws have no need to fear:

"The AfD always says this. The migrants who need to worry are those who do not belong here. These are, for example, those who commit crimes, those who are in the country illegally, or those who cannot integrate into society. We want to put an end to this. I think every country has the right to say that these people should leave. No one who behaves appropriately and abides by the laws needs to worry."

Daiser stated that forming a government would be difficult. He noted that no party reached an absolute majority, and therefore, the BSW is in a position to form the government.

Daiser stated that the minority government option was not good. "I would not advise (AfD's State Premier candidate) Ulrich Sigmund to enter a minority government because currently, the entire country is looking at Saxony-Anhalt and the AfD there. If the AfD cannot achieve what it wants within a minority government, then the AfD would be blamed," he said.

"Election result stems from wrong policies"

Walter Schlevoigt said that the election result stemmed from the wrong policies implemented.

Schlevoigt pointed out that forming a government would be difficult. He expressed confidence that some AfD deputies would switch parties.

"Most likely, these will be from the CDU and will enable the AfD to gain a majority," said Schlevoigt, expressing his belief that the AfD would form the government in the state.

Schlevoigt stated that he was not pessimistic. "Saxony-Anhalt won't change the world. Nor will the AfD turn Germany upside down with this result. What the AfD can achieve is to continue to succeed if those in Berlin continue in the same way," he commented.

Ute Lau stated that she felt the elections would turn out this way because people were angry with politicians. "They probably needed to take a hit," she said.

Lau noted that she expected everyone to act reasonably in the government formation efforts. She stated that politicians merely fighting was frustrating.

Fabienne Uth said that the election result was like a "day of mourning."

Uth emphasized that citizens were angry. "The AfD is the only party offering real radical change, but one needs to take a look at history and realize that all of this has happened before. Voters here should also be a bit more conscious and make a smart choice instead of voting blindly for the first option," she stated.

Uth argued that Friedrich Merz's policies played a big role in the election result. "Because we owe the citizens' anger to Friedrich Merz, or to the governments before him," she commented.

Retired Burckert Techau expressed the view that the result in the state parliamentary elections was "excellent." "This should have happened much earlier. Germans tolerated everything from the CDU, SPD, and Greens for too long. We should have woken up much earlier," he said.

Techau stated that he believed the AfD would try to change things. "However, everything has been brought to such a bad point that it's not possible to change it so quickly. It won't happen overnight; it needs time, but I bet the AfD will make the most reasonable out of it," he stated.

Techau argued that the AfD and BSW united on many common issues. He noted that these two parties could form a coalition.