Populists Surge in Germany’s Regional Votes, Humbling Scholz

Far-right AfD on course to win regional ballot for first time
Conservative CDU only mainstream party to avoid a battering

Olaf Scholz attends a commemoration ceremony for the victims of a deadly knife attack that caused nationwide shock, and fueled a debate about immigration ahead of key regional elections, on Sept. 1.Photographer: Michael Probst/AFP/Getty Images

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By Michael Nienaber and Arne Delfs

September 1, 2024 at 4:05 PM UTC

Updated on

September 1, 2024 at 7:43 PM UTC

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Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ruling coalition was punished in two regional elections in eastern Germany on Sunday, with populist parties on the extreme right and left taking more than 60% of the vote in Thuringia and almost half in Saxony.

The Alternative for Germany is on course for a clear victory in Thuringia on 32.8%, according to projections for public broadcaster ARD. It represents the first triumph for a far-right party in a German state ballot since World War II, even if it’s highly unlikely to be able to form a government as it’s shunned by the other parties represented in parliament.