Article body
Germany is holding its breath this weekend as there is a seismic election in the country's east. The Alternative für Deutschland party is aiming to secure a majority in the regional parliament of Saxony-Anhalt. An outright win would mark the first time a far-right party has held state-level power in the nation's post-war era.
For the AfD's opponents, this is a point of serious peril. But the party sees it as a stepping stone towards its dreams of nationwide power. The result could also spell fresh trouble for embattled conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as rumors persist about whether he can see out his term in office.
The AfD's lead candidate in the state, Ulrich Siegmund, appears to have enjoyed dominating discussion and media coverage. The party's popularity in its eastern strongholds is fed by a lingering nostalgia for the past and dissatisfaction with the present, particularly regarding immigration, public safety, and the economy. If the AfD does score a decisive victory, it would face a test it has never faced before, as it would have to govern rather than merely criticize those in power.