Before state elections

61% of Germans reject AfD in government

Nationwide, 61% of respondents reject the idea of the AfD becoming part of the state governments in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg, even with high shares of the vote.(Bild: Viennareport)

According to a survey, a clear majority of people in Germany are against the AfD's participation in state governments after the upcoming state elections in eastern Germany. At 56 percent, the rejection rate in eastern Germany is lower than in the west (62 percent). 

According to a survey published on Tuesday by RTL and ntv, 61% of respondents nationwide reject the idea of the AfD becoming part of the state governments in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg, even with high election results.

Concerns particularly high in the east
Across Germany, exactly one third of respondents would like to see the AfD join the government. A clear majority of respondents (69%) expressed concern about possible AfD victories in state elections. In the east, concern is particularly high among those voters who currently have no preference for the AfD (81%).

According to the latest polls, the AfD could emerge as the strongest force in the state elections in the east. In Saxony and Thuringia, where elections will be held on September 1, the party is polling at around 30 percent.

Both state associations of the AfD are classified by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as right-wing extremist. In Brandenburg, it has around 24% of the vote. The election will take place there on September 22.