Kathmandu— Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is on track to secure more than 40% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt state elections, potentially making it the first far-right party to lead a German state government since World War II, according to polling data and political analysts.

Historic Political Shift

The AfD's potential victory in Saxony-Anhalt represents a significant turning point in German politics, as the party has been classified as 'far-right extremist' by Saxony-Anhalt's domestic intelligence service. The party's leading candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, who was previously a CDU member and dubbed 'Germany's most dangerous man' by Der Spiegel, is at the forefront of this political shift.

The election results would mark a stark departure from post-war German political norms, with the AfD poised to surpass the conservative CDU, which is polling at just above 20% in the state. The CDU's decline has been attributed to its perceived leftward shift under former Chancellor Angela Merkel, with voters like Magdeburg banking clerk Mario Jung citing economic concerns and hardline immigration policies as key reasons for switching their support to the AfD.

Policy Platform and Ideological Shift

The AfD's election platform, titled 'The Country First,' outlines a comprehensive nationalist agenda including the abolition of asylum rights, confiscation of assets from asylum seekers, and mass deportations of those with denied applications or criminal records. The party also seeks to ban the Antifa movement, cancel public broadcasting, and reverse Germany's shift toward renewable energy.

Founded in 2013 as a Eurosceptic party following the EU financial crisis, the AfD has evolved from a moderate Euroskeptic group to a hardline nationalist force, particularly gaining traction during Merkel's 2015 refugee policy that admitted about a million refugees, many from Syria. The party has since shifted further right, with a strong nationalist wing dominating in eastern Germany, where it has embraced hardline immigration positions and opposition to sanctions on Russia.

The Saxony-Anhalt election results will be a critical test for Germany's political establishment, with the AfD's potential victory setting a precedent for future state and federal elections across the country.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.