Germany’s far-right AfD is seeking to form a government in a German state after winning a state election but falling short of the numbers needed for an outright majority.
The party has said that “democracy demands” other parties work with it following the result. Its appeal comes after it ended the contest three seats below a majority, meaning it cannot govern alone on the basis of the reported outcome.
The result places AfD in a leading position in the state election but leaves the party dependent on cooperation from others if it is to take office. Without additional support, it does not have enough seats to command a majority.
AfD’s statement frames post-election cooperation as a democratic obligation, arguing that other parties should engage with it after voters delivered the party a first-place finish. The supplied details do not include any responses from rival parties or indicate whether formal talks have begun.
The immediate question is whether AfD can secure enough backing to form a government despite being short of a majority. For now, the party is trying to turn its election win into control of the state administration, with its path dependent on support from parties beyond its own ranks.
