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‘Data senator’ ad prompts Frank Farry to send a cease-and-desist letter to his Democratic challenger in Bucks County
An attorney representing state Sen. Frank Farry (R., Bucks) called on Democrat Eileen Hartnett Albillar's campaign to retract the "data senator" advertisement.
Another new poll shows close Maine Senate race
Other UNH results show Democrat Hannah Pingree continuing to lead the pack for governor ahead of Republican Bobby Charles and independent Rick Bennett.
Why 3 Texas US House races are worrying Republicans. See which ones
A new Cook Political Report analysis moved three Texas U.S. House races toward Democrats as the GOP fights to keep its majority. See where each stands.
Democrats press RFK Jr. on an ethics agreement change involving law firm fees
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces scrutiny from congressional Democrats over ethics disclosures | Newsradio 1140 WRVA
Capitol agenda: Dems weigh doing Husted a solid - Live Updates
A data center measure easily passed the House last week with more than 200 Democratic votes, but campaign-season politics are making action trickier for the party in the Senate.
Can the Left Make America Fun Again?
Hi friends, I’ve got a piece in The New York Times today about how collective joy — participatory, youthful, anti-corporate — can defeat Trumpism and transform our lives. The basic argument is that politics used to be embedded in communal life: dances, sports leagues, union halls. As that infrastructure disappeared — and more of everyday life was atomized and privatized — politics became something broadcast at people rather than something they did together. NYC-DSA and Zohran provide another model, where socials and face-to-face organizing are tied to a fight vs the corporations that fenced off so much of the good life. Rebuilding that kind of collective fun, I argue, could help bring young people back into politics and, by redistributing America’s wealth, make everyday life more joyful. I would super appreciate it if you’d read the piece, share it, or post comments on it. Thank you! p.s. FYI, Opinion writers don’t get any say over their headlines! More Take action to support the fight of licensed deck officers at Alaska Tanker Company and Overseas Shipholding Group to win a first union contract. This is one of the most important, and underreported, unionization campaigns in America: these workers have a huge amount of power over domestic energy distribution and maritime supply chains, and they’re still without a contract two years after having voted overwhelmingly to unionize. Please sign the public petition here, and if you’re an academic you can sign this support letter.
The hard choice Democrats face on Republicans’ anti-trans attacks
They’re being bombarded with attack ads. How do they respond without betraying a vulnerable community?
Can Democrats flip the House? Here's the latest in key races
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control of the House. Here are five races to watch before the Nov. 3 elections.
SC will elect ‘outsider’ to U.S. Senate. Whose bid for Congress does it help more?
Neither Democratic nominee Annie Andrews nor Republican candidate U.S. Sen. Darline Graham has been elected to political office.
Alaskans Dismayed, But Not Moved, by Peltola’s Treatment of Her Staff
Voters interviewed in Anchorage and Fairbanks on Thursday said news that Mary Peltola, the Democratic nominee for Senate, had used offensive slurs would not change their vote.
Trump Is Destroying Public Health. Democrats Need to Fight Back.
If they win in the midterms, the party must move quickly and aggressively to undo the harm Trump and his cronies have caused. It is truly difficult to keep up with the pace of OMB Director Russell Vou...
Trump Is Destroying Public Health. Democrats Need to Fight Back.
If they win in the midterms, the party must move quickly and aggressively to undo the harm Trump and his cronies have caused.
Angie Nixon’s campaign runs through the labor, Civil Rights movements
Nixon’s rise comes as Democrats, Black activists and legal scholars say the gains of the Civil Rights Movement are under attack.
Opinion | Young Democrats Are Putting the Party Back in Politics. It’s Working.
Fun, free events communicate a larger goal: that everyday people should be able to afford a joyful life.
Democrats weigh how to handle data center vote that could benefit a GOP foe
“They say they’re for more affordability,” embattled GOP Sen. Jon Husted said. “This is a chance for everybody to prove it.”
The Real Threat From Political AI Isn't Lies
New evidence suggests that AI can gain a persuasive advantage by producing far more information far faster than people can respond. Democratic safeguards should make that advantage visible and give citizens control over the tempo.
Texas Republicans splinter as MAGA candidates test party limits
GOP leaders are voicing doubts about U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton, who's trailing Democrat James Talarico in polls with less than six weeks until Election Day.
In Texas, Talarico pitches a Fox News debate as Paxton stays silent
The state’s Democratic and Republican Senate candidates have not squared off yet.
Democratic House candidate arrested during Netanyahu protest in NYC
Darializa Avila Chevalier was among several progressive elected officials and nominees who protested Netanyahu's speech at the U.N.
A key Republican defends Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola after reports of abusive behavior
Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan criticized his Democratic opponent Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, over allegations of abusive behavior toward members of her staff, which he described as “very disturbing.”
Emory launches Center for Civic Reasoning to foster constructive dialogue
Emory University’s new Center for Civic Reasoning will prepare students for democratic citizenship through courses that study how to engage in constructive disagreements around issues related to politics and daily life.
Dems shamed as DHS brings ICE shooting reciepts after politician called ICE officers ‘liars with masks’
The Department of Homeland Security accused Democrats and media of spreading lies about the ICE shooting in Austin as protests erupted citywide.
New Midterm Polling Has Good and Bad News for Both Sides
New polling and analysis released this week has encouraging signs for Democrats and Republicans, leaving the overall impression that control of both houses of Congress remains up in the air. Data published Thursday morning by The New York Times and Siena polling puts Democratic candidates Abdul ...
New poll shows Democrats with big lead over GOP on generic ballot
A new Emerson College poll has Democrats with a sizeable lead over Republicans on a generic congressional ballot two months from midterm elections.
5 Takeaways From a New Poll on the New Hampshire Senate Race
Representative Chris Pappas, a Democrat, leads by five percentage points, according to a New York Times/Siena poll. Voters say they are more interested in a check on President Trump than in a candidate who supports him.
Collins leads Jackson in new Maine poll
On the favorability front, 49% said they have a very or somewhat unfavorable opinion of Democrat Troy Jackson, with 41% saying very or somewhat favorable.
Political psychology: Why extremist parties are thriving and what democratic politicians can do
Far-right and far-left parties are celebrating success after success, leaving moderate politicians in the dust. Many Germans worry about this. Political psychology helps us understand what's behind growing polarization.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear hints at future political run during book talk
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said Tuesday that he is no longer certain his 2023 reelection campaign will be his last, while discussing his faith, political divisions and the future of the Democratic Party at GW.
Capitol agenda: Democrats fracture over college sports - Live Updates
Despite bipartisan backing of a college athletics bill, Black Democratic lawmakers are warning their own party that supporting the measure risks exploiting Black athletes.
How the fate of a rural hospital could help flip the House
In one Virginia race and others, Democrats are highlighting the rising costs of health care and possible closures of facilities, putting Republicans on defense.
Democrats Show Strength in Michigan Senate Race but Trail in Maine, Polls Find
The party’s nominees lead in Michigan and New Hampshire but the Republican incumbent is ahead in Maine, according to New York Times/Siena polls of the three battlegrounds.
Warren demands Trump officials explain removing a ban on interference in census data
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked Trump officials to explain why the Census Bureau's parent agency cut a ban on political interference from its scientific integrity policy, as NPR first reported.
Democrats lead in 2 Pa. swing congressional district races: F&M poll
Pennsylvania voters in two key congressional districts that broke for Republicans in 2024 are moving left, according to results of the latest Franklin & Marshall College Poll.
Stelson, Democrats lead in Pennsylvania district races: F&M Poll
Pennsylvania voters in two key congressional districts that broke for Republicans in 2024 are moving left, according to results of the latest Franklin & Marshall College Poll.
Fintech After the Midterms: 3 Thoughts on How Politics Might Impact Policy
If the polls—and the prediction markets—are any indication, then the Democratic Party stands a better than even chance of taking control of the US House of Representatives after the mid-term elections in November.
McConnell got the health care he needed. Booker wants that for everyone
Opinion: For Senate candidate Charles Booker, health care isn't abstract.
Angry outbursts, slurs and firings: Tumult rocks a key Senate campaign
Democrats hope that Mary Peltola can flip a Republican Senate seat in Alaska. Former aides describe a campaign and congressional office marked by chaos.
Mary Peltola’s Campaign in Alaska Senate Race Is Rocked by Tumult, With Angry Outbursts and Slurs
Democrats hope that Mary Peltola can flip a Republican Senate seat in Alaska. Former aides describe a campaign and congressional office marked by chaos.
Blakeman pitches himself as Republican Democrats can back
Blakeman received an endorsement from former Council Member Bob Holden.
Sentencing date still to be determined amid health issues for Gov. Newsom's ex-chief of staff
Dana Williamson, a former top political aide to key Democratic leaders in California, including Gov. Newsom, is still struggling with an unexpected health issue and a hearing to discuss her prison sentencing has been postponed.
Maine Dems hammer Collins over report of pay-to-play probe. GOP senator calls it 'completely false'
Maine Democrats on Wednesday assailed U.S. Sen. Susan Collins over a news report that the FBI investigated how much she knew about illegal campaign contributions that sent one of her donors to prison.
New dark money GOP group dominates Wisconsin political spending
A brand new group reported spending $13 million against Wisconsin Democrats in its first campaign finance report.
Kansas becomes the latest headache for Republicans, with Democrats eyeing a ‘miracle’ in Senate race
Adam Hamilton is asking Kansans to take a leap of faith and do something that hasn’t been done in 94 years: send a Democrat to the US Senate.
Trump Backtracks on Plan for New Controls on N.I.H. Grants
Democrats and Republicans in Congress opposed the creation of a commission with the power to veto federal research awards.
Collins’ team rebuts ProPublica story
On Wednesday, the Maine Democratic Party called on Collins to directly answer questions raised by the story.
GOP challenger gets within single digits of blue-state gov despite Dem's massive advantage
Bruce Blakeman trails Kathy Hochul by just 9 points in a new Siena poll, closing the gap in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans two-to-one.
NH Libertarian Party endorses ‘assassination’ of elected Democrats
The state Libertarian Party has issued repeated calls for political violence in social media posts.
Joint List's leader attacks Democrats leader for supporting Arab politician ban
'It would be proper for someone who calls himself a democrat to stand against racist attempts,' Joint List chairman Yousef Jabareen said. He added that the Democrats party is pushing the agenda of Otzma Yehudit and Likud
Cook Political Report shifts Kansas, South Carolina Senate races toward Democrats
The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report on Wednesday shifted the Senate races in Kansas and South Carolina toward Democrats, with just over a month before the November midterm el…
Republicans say Democrats are extremists. These Democrats want to convince voters that's not true
Democrats are trying to win back Congress by criticizing their own party to appeal to voters in more conservative areas.
At Rutgers, Talking Across Difference Aims for Civil Dialogue in a Divisive Political Climate
An initiative at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is helping students develop the skills and confidence to engage in meaningful conversations during an era marked by political polarization, social division and declining trust in democratic institutions. Through Talking Across Difference, a program developed within the Rutgers Democracy Lab at the Eagleton Institute of Politics during the 2024-2025 academic year, students, faculty and staff are learning how to engage in productive conversations
Talarico works to reach Black voters in his bid to win a US Senate seat as a Democrat in Texas
Democratic Texas U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico is working to reach Black voters, a key demographic in his race against Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton
The Fight for the Senate Is a True Toss Up; Three Races Shift Toward Democrats
With just under six weeks until Election Day, control of the Senate is on a knife’s edge as the handful of key races that will decide the majority remain within the margin of error.
San Francisco’s public-safety technology isn’t the problem — the politics around it is
Amid a local Democratic Party debate, supervisor makes the case for retaining automated tools while strengthening oversight and protecting against misuse.
NC seats join Democrats’ battleground list + Candidate gets unlikely endorsement
Democrats target more races for the NC Senate.
Reform and the UAE – a threat to British politics
By Alex Carlen The United Arab Emirates likes to present itself as part of the solution to the climate crisis. The oil-rich Gulf state has committed to Net Zero by 2050, hosted COP 28, and even declared “championing climate action” as one of three strategic objectives for this week’s session of the United Nations General Assembly. But behind the scenes the UAE has quietly built one of its closest political relationships in Europe with the party most hostile to climate action in Britain: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. There is no evidence that the UAE is funding Reform. But a new FairSquare report, Petro-populism: the UAE–Reform threat, published today, documents a growing political relationship that should concern anyone interested in the integrity of British democracy. Reform’s leaders have embraced the UAE’s political model and promoted positions that align closely with the Emirati government’s priorities, while the UAE has given Farage and his party unusually warm access and public backing. What is emerging is not simply a relationship between British politicians and a wealthy Gulf state, but a channel through which an authoritarian government can cultivate political influence here, and abroad. Democracy for Sale relies on its readers. If you already support us, thanks so much. If you don’t, sign up to support fearless independent investigative journalism. Subscribe Back in January, Nigel Farage appeared at a GB News event in Dubai. On the 50th floor of a tower overlooking the luxury resorts and upscale residences of Palm Jumeirah, the Reform leader declared: “I want Clacton to look like this.” At the event – which Farage never declared on his official register of interests – senior Emirati officials mixed with British expats. Farage was keen to flatter. “We recognise you are our friends”, he said, assuring them that “a Brexit London, a Reform London, will remember you.” Controversy surrounding Reform’s finances and its susceptibility to foreign influence have centred around high-profile donations from billionaire crypto donors, and the jailing of Nathan Gill, Reform’s former leader in Wales, for accepting bribes to give pro-Russia speeches. Far less attention has been paid to Reform’s blossoming new alliance with the UAE, an oil-rich authoritarian state with a track record of ruinous anti-democratic interventions. Farage wasn’t always so fond of the UAE. Back in 2023 he called it an “absolute monarchy with an abysmal human rights record.” Now Reform’s hierarchy calls the UAE home. Deputy leader Richard Tice splits his time between his constituency and Dubai and has called on the UK to learn from the UAE. The party’s treasurer Nick Candy runs a firm which has been in partnership with a UAE-state linked firm since 2024. Nadhim Zahawi sits on the board of an Abu Dhabi think tank alongside an array of the most senior UAE officials and is reportedly close to three brothers of the country’s despotic ruler Mohammed Bin Zayed. Reform’s leading lights have effusively praised the UAE’s governance model, defended it from criticism, and advanced its political agenda in the UK. GB News, whose two major shareholders – the Legatum Foundation and Paul Marshall – have strong links to the UAE, has been more than happy to broadcast UAE propaganda and was forced to pay damages in 2025 after airing a false claim about a UK charity by the UAE “disinfluencer” Amjad Taha. The UAE has responded in kind. When the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs conducted an official visit to the UK in May, Farage was the only non-government figure granted an audience. UAE state media publicised the meeting, and said that they discussed “the strategic relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in a manner that serves mutual interests.” For the UAE these ‘mutual interests’ largely concern its paranoia over political Islam, and in this regard the UAE-Reform alliance is part of a broad and troubling pattern. Following a crackdown on dissent at home in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, the UAE has offered material and political support to a range of violent and authoritarian actors willing to oppose the Muslim Brotherhood with no regard for the consequences. Its meddling in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, and most notably Sudan, have been devastating. The UAE’s strategy of seeking out partners on the political fringes who it believes will advance its interests is not unique to Britain – it extends beyond the Middle East to Europe and the US. In France, it has offered clandestine support to Marine Le Pen through secret meetings, as well allegedly funding trips to the region after which Le Pen returned with a renewed focus on the UAE’s perceived enemies – Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood. Left-wing opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has accused the UAE of smearing him and of “encouraging discrimination, hatred or violence”. In the US, the UAE actively supported the rise of Donald Trump, establishing itself as a key ally during both his first and second terms. Around these relationships sits a wider ecosystem of figures willing to amplify UAE narratives, that even extends to Andrew Tate and Tommy Robinson. Subscribe In Britain, the UAE has used a combination of aggressive diplomacy and illicit, disruptive tactics to achieve its policy goal of eliminating any perceived threat from political Islam. In 2012, for instance, it threatened to block billion-pound arms deals with the UK and stop inward investment if David Cameron did not act against the Muslim Brotherhood and rein in the BBC’s coverage of the group – going so far as to suggest, with no supporting evidence, that the group had infiltrated the BBC. It has financed smear campaigns against a high-profile UK charity and funded a mercenary to secretly surveil, and possibly assassinate, a British national on British soil. In Reform UK, the UAE has finally found an ally willing to not only ban the Muslim Brotherhood, but to publicly vilify the group and repeat the UAE’s claims that dangerous Muslims are a fifth column in British society, a narrative that aligns with the Islamophobia and anti-immigration sentiments that underpin Reform’s populist politics. The Rycroft review into foreign interference concluded that “hostile states and non-state actors have a clear incentive to attempt to undermine UK democracy.” The UAE’s network and alliance with Reform must be understood within that framework. It is a powerful, disruptive and deeply authoritarian actor with the resources and networks to intervene in our politics, and a track-record of doing so in a multitude of other countries. The evidence of the threat the UAE poses is overwhelming. The question is whether parliamentarians are willing to call the UAE out and demand action using the tools that the government has to respond. Placing the UAE on the “Enhanced Tier” of the Foreign Registration scheme alongside Russia and Iran would send a powerful signal to the UAE that its meddling will no longer be tolerated, and would place Farage’s next trips to the UAE under the scrutiny they deserve. Alex Carlen is research and advocacy manager at London based human rights organisation FairSquare and author of its new report Petro-populism: the UAE–Reform threat. Subscribe
Republican candidates highlight health care in 2026, battling voter distrust
According to the latest NBC News poll, voters trust Democrats over Republicans on health care by 22 points. Three Republican strategists said the GOP is trying to narrow the advantage.
Ted Lieu: AI risks are ‘no longer in the realm of science fiction’
The No. 4 Democrat is urging his party to confront artificial intelligence worst-case risks without stifling the technology’s promise.
DA Larry Krasner faces an uncertain political future as Democrats weigh what could come next
New questions emerged this week about Krasner’s political ambitions and his potential bid for Philly mayor. Meanwhile, others are angling for his job.
Democrats lead in new poll as Trump looms over midterms
President Donald Trump’s efforts to make the midterm elections a referendum on his presidency appear to be backfiring as Democratic congressional candidates hold a significant lead over Republicans in the latest poll from PBS News, NPR and Marist.
California deal on Paramount-Warner Bros. merger spurs frustration
Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta’s agreement clearing the $111-billion merger followed intense pressure from state leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom and dissent among fellow Democratic state attorneys general.
California deal on Paramount-Warner Bros. merger spurs frustration, questions about political pressure
Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's agreement clearing the $111-billion merger followed intense pressure from state leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom and dissent among fellow Democratic state attorneys general.
Blakeman wants to end HALT through governor's leverage
It's conventional wisdom that he would face a Democrat led legislature if elected.
Democrats accuse Susan Collins of 'corruption' following report on alleged pay-to-play scheme
Collins' office as well as FBI officials have said the allegations — contained in an investigative report from ProPublica — are completely false. But Democrats clearly hope to convince voters otherwise in the final six weeks of the fall election campaign.
NC Supreme Court candidates spar over past rulings, racial equity proposals
North Carolina’s Supreme Court currently has a 5-to-2 Republican majority, and just one of those seats will be on the ballot this November. Justice Anita Earls, a Democrat, faces former N.C. Rep. Sarah Stevens, a Republican who stepped down from the legislature earlier this year.
Harris and Newsom start to lose voter excitement even in Calif.
A new poll asked voters about the 2028 chances for the two leading Democrats.
Fox News ratings move 7 of Florida's U.S. House contests in Democrats' direction
Sabato's Crystal Ball also reassessed the situation in Florida's 27th Congressional District.
Abdul El-Sayed says Kamala Harris' visit for his Michigan U.S. Senate race is about Democratic unity
El-Sayed said Harris, who will attend a roundtable on Black maternal health with him and separately join an event hosted by the Detroit chapter of the NAACP, is a critical advocate in helping him close ranks as he tries to defeat Republican Mike Rogers.
Abdul El-Sayed says Kamala Harris' visit for his Michigan U.S. Senate race is about Democratic unity
El-Sayed said Harris, who will attend a roundtable on Black maternal health with him and separately join an event hosted by the Detroit chapter of the NAACP, is a critical advocate in helping him close ranks as he tries to defeat Republican Mike Rogers.
Jacobs, Ogden offer competing visions for New York Democratic Party
Both longtime state party Chair Jay Jacobs and Otsego County Democratic Party Chair Caitlin Ogden spoke with Capital Tonight Monday.
Democrats pounce on report tying Collins to defense contractor
It all started when ProPublica investigated the impacts of President Donald Trump’s decision to clean house at the FBI and the Department of Justice in 2024.
Michigan Chamber endorses John James for governor
The endorsement of James over Democrat Jocelyn Benson was not unexpected given the group’s history of supporting Republican gubernatorial candidates. But it came considerably earlier than four years ago.
Democrat in Central Dallas County aims to unseat powerful Republican House Member
Allison Mitchell is the Democratic candidate running against the powerful Chairman of the Texas House Ways and Means Committee, Morgan Meyer. Lone Star Politics speaks to her about he uphill battle in the Park Cities and central Dallas. Meyer has not yet responded to a request for an interview.
http://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/media/press-releases/ec-democratic-leaders-demand-answers-energy-secretary-wright-after-he-lied
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Committee Democratic leaders are demanding answers from Secretary of Energy Chris Wright after the Department of Energy (DOE) admitted it has been targeting grant cancellations toward states that did not vote for Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
Stand Up for Science’s Climate Week Discussion Panel to Tackle Science, Democracy and Climate Tomorrow
Cross-disciplinary panel discussion will explore the interplay among scientific consensus, democratic governance, and the climate crisis.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questions whether a Latina can be elected president
The 36-year-old ascendant leader of the Democratic Party’s progressive movement will decide whether to run for president in 2028 after the upcoming midterm elections.
New poll reveals which political party has a 5-point advantage ahead of November elections
Democrats hold a 5-point advantage over Republicans with just over a month to go before the midterm elections
New poll reveals which political party has a 5-point advantage ahead of November elections
Democrats hold a 5-point advantage over Republicans with just over a month to go before the midterm elections
Newsom eyes 2028 as Democrats weigh their political future
Join The Hill’s Ian Swanson, Amie Parnes and special guest Democratic strategist Garry South, who has advised California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), for a special “Fight for 2028” centered o…
Providence is poised to have a pro-Palestine mayor. Its Jewish community is conflicted.
The win by a democratic socialist aligned with the pro-Palestine movement has prompted fears, as antisemitism is on the rise and a divestment question aimed at Israel is on the ballot.
When a powerful NC Democrat pleaded guilty to tax evasion
In this look at N&O archives: a powerful politician pled guilty to tax evasion in 1996, and tobacco market prices good in 1926.
Kamala Harris returns to campaign trail to boost Abdul El-Sayed in critical Michigan Senate race
Kamala Harris is set to campaign Tuesday with Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, a joint appearance between two Democrats in a state that’s crucial to the party’s fortunes in this fall’s midterms – and the presidential primary to follow.
Lauren Book promises to 'fight like a mother' in new SD 30 ad
The former Senate Democratic Leader touts her record on gun safety, healthcare and family issues
Jiang Feng: The Unravelling of German & European Politics
A state election in eastern Germany has become a revealing test of the changing political landscapes of Germany and Europe, writes Jiang Feng, Professor and Chairman of the Council of the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies (SAGGAS) at Shanghai International Studies University. His analysis follows the decisive victory of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) (which has been classified as right-wing extremist by German authorities)in the state of Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September, in which it finished far ahead of its mainstream rivals. Jiang previously served as Minister-Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Berlin. The following article was published on 8 September 2026 on huanqiu.com, the online platform of the Global Times. On 6 September, the results of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, were announced. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), classified as far-right by German authorities, made history by becoming the largest party in the state parliament, winning 43.8 per cent of the vote — twice its share in the previous election. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which had governed the state continuously for 24 years, won just 17.2 per cent, its worst result ever in Saxony-Anhalt. On the night the results were announced, the atmosphere at the CDU gathering was unusually calm. There was neither shock nor argument, as if the defeat had long been expected. Several veteran party members who had spent years working in the state government said: “Defeat is not a bad thing. It is time to make changes.” This state election has not only upended Saxony-Anhalt’s political landscape, but also laid bare the deep tensions between Germany’s traditional party structure and model of governance, on the one hand, and an increasingly polarised society on the other. Its repercussions are already being felt at the federal level, making Saxony-Anhalt a useful case study of the broader trend towards political polarisation and realignment in Europe. Governing Difficulties after Electoral Victory The most immediate consequence of the election is a historic setback for the mainstream party order that took shape in post-war Germany. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD has leapt from a peripheral party to the largest political force in the state. Its electoral base has expanded beyond the traditional category of “marginal protest voters” to take on the characteristics of a cross-class coalition. The party has not only consolidated its support in rural areas, but also attracted many middle-class voters and even members of the social elite with stable jobs, their own homes, and substantial incomes. It has thus evolved from a “protest party” into one with the potential to govern. Despite its commanding lead in the vote, however, the AfD faces an institutional obstacle to governing the state: the mainstream parties’ long-standing “firewall” against it. Neither of the two potential routes to forming a government appears likely to break the current political deadlock. The first would be a coalition of establishment parties, led by the CDU and bringing together the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, the Left Party (Die Linke) and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) in a cross-camp government. In terms of parliamentary arithmetic, such a coalition could prevent the AfD from forming a government and preserve the outward stability of the traditional political order. Yet these parties are fundamentally divided over key issues including immigration, the energy transition, economic management, and cultural and education policy. Coalition negotiations would therefore be extremely difficult, and even if a government could be formed, it would most likely prove short-lived. More importantly, an alliance of establishment parties aimed at keeping the largest party out of government would play directly into the AfD’s narrative that “political elites are suppressing public opinion”. It could deepen perceptions of political unfairness, further strengthening the AfD’s political capital, and creating a dynamic in which “the more it is suppressed, the more people vote for it”. Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s candidate for state premier, has said that if efforts to form a government fail because other parties refuse to cooperate, the AfD will push for a fresh election, which he believes could deliver the party an absolute majority of seats. This points to more intense political battles ahead. The second option would be a coalition between the AfD and the BSW. Together, the two parties would command a simple majority in parliament, making this, on paper, the quickest route to forming a government. The BSW is the only elected party that has not ruled out cooperation with the AfD, and the two parties share some common ground, including on policy towards Russia. There is therefore a degree of political basis for cooperation. Were such a coalition to materialise, Germany would see its first state government jointly formed by a party defined as far-right and one with a far-left background, creating what might be called a “bipolar anti-establishment alliance”. Such an outcome would fundamentally break with the ideological boundaries of post-war German party politics. It is worth noting that even if the AfD ultimately fails to enter the state government, its roughly 47 per cent share of parliamentary seats would give it a powerful blocking minority. Without its consent, major decisions requiring a two-thirds majority — including constitutional amendments, significant budgetary adjustments, and state-level institutional reforms — would be extremely difficult to pass. Therefore, whoever ultimately forms the government, the AfD will be an unavoidable force in Saxony-Anhalt politics, with a direct influence on the state’s legislative process. Systemic Failures in Germany’s Governance Model The Saxony-Anhalt election result reflects a systemic failure of Germany’s post-war mainstream-party model of governance to adapt to rapidly changing socioeconomic conditions. It stems from multiple, mutually reinforcing structural tensions and highlights the existing political system’s difficulty in adapting to “an increasingly polarised society First, collective anxiety has replaced individual material hardship as a central driver of political mobilisation. The rise of the AfD can no longer be explained simply by poverty or social marginalisation. Its increasingly cross-class electoral base suggests that what is driving voters towards the party is, above all, concern about the broader direction of society. This anxiety about the future of the political community goes beyond individual gains and losses. In political discourse, economic anxiety has become closely intertwined with immigration, while immigration and refugee issues are, in essence, questions of social fairness. This perception turns conflicts over the distribution of social resources into negative assessments of governing parties, providing a broad social basis for far-right political narratives. Second, regional disparities and East German identity have undermined the strategy of addressing eastern Germany’s structural challenges at the regional level. More than three decades after German reunification, eastern states such as Saxony-Anhalt have experienced periods of economic growth, but their underlying economic structures remain weak, and household incomes and wealth remain significantly below those in western Germany. At the same time, they continue to face population outflow, an ageing population, labour shortages, and other structural challenges. At a deeper level, historical experiences — including the collapse of the former East German economic system, mass unemployment during the transition, and the westward shift of decision-making power over major issues — have left some residents with a sense of being “second-class citizens” and of being excluded. For years, the German government treated the “syndrome” of reunification as a regional problem to be gradually addressed at the local level. That approach is becoming increasingly unsustainable, as regional development disparities emerge as a core structural factor shaping national politics. Third, the erosion of institutional trust is perhaps the most decisive factor. AfD supporters tend to distrust establishment institutions, including parliament, government, and the mainstream media. Their concerns about economic security, pensions, and social fairness are significantly greater than the social average. Increasingly, their support for the AfD reflects not an expectation that the existing system can be improved, but a search for an alternative to the current political order. Such a systemic deficit of trust will be extremely difficult for the traditional parties to repair in the short term. Fourth, a generational shift in political mobilisation has amplified political polarisation. Unlike traditional parties, which rely heavily on offline rallies and mainstream media coverage, the AfD has developed a social-media mobilisation strategy built around “raising an issue — identifying who is responsible — offering a simplified solution — building a shared identity”. It turns complex social tensions into concise political narratives, rapidly channelling public sentiment into political support. The contrast on the eve of the election was particularly telling. The establishment parties, together with trade unions and churches, organised an offline march attended by more than 10,000 people, but its reach was largely confined to those present and to traditional media coverage. The AfD held a much smaller indoor event, yet livestreaming on TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms, combined with the involvement of online influencers, gave it a reach and mobilising capacity far beyond that of the march. The contrast illustrates how the traditional parties’ methods of political mobilisation are increasingly struggling to keep pace with a political environment transformed by changes in media technology. A Microcosm of Structural Political Change in Europe The shockwaves from the Saxony-Anhalt election quickly travelled beyond the state to the federal level. Calls for political accountability followed immediately after the results were announced. The governing CDU and SPD are now under enormous pressure, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil face an unprecedented test. Political polarisation in Germany is no longer simply a regional phenomenon. The post-war model of multiparty government by establishment parties is breaking down and being reshaped. Viewed in a broader European context, the Saxony-Anhalt election is part of a continent-wide wave of party polarisation, mainstream-party decline, and rising right-wing forces. Far from an isolated phenomenon, it is a microcosm of the structural political changes unfolding across Europe. Weak economic growth, cultural tensions over immigration, and declining trust in institutions are fuelling the rise of right-wing forces in several countries, challenging the liberal internationalist order established in post-war Europe. As a core member state of the European Union, Germany’s ability to adapt its political system and the direction of its politics will have profound implications for both European integration and the evolution of the international order. Subscribe [ Pekingnology China’s Germany watchers take stock of Berlin’s uneasy turn On 7 December 2025, nearly 50 Chinese scholars and policy researchers gathered in Beijing for the 2025年德国形势年终研讨会 “2025 Year-End Seminar on the Situation in Germany… Read more 9 months ago · 31 likes · 1 comment · YIRUI LI and Yuxuan JIA ](https://www.pekingnology.com/p/chinas-germany-watchers-take-stock?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web&embedding_publication_id=1151841) [ Jiang Feng on Germany's 2025 and beyond: no easy exit ](https://www.eastisread.com/p/jiang-feng-on-germanys-2025-and-beyond) Yirui LI and Yuxuan JIA · Jan 24 The following is an op-ed by Jiang Feng, published on 29 December 2025 at Shanghai Observer 上观新闻, the digital platform of Jiefang Daily, the official newspaper of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). [ Read full story ](https://www.eastisread.com/p/jiang-feng-on-germanys-2025-and-beyond)
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