AfD secures historic election victory in Saxony-Anhalt exit polls

Exit polls in Saxony-Anhalt indicate a historic election victory for the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), which secured approximately 44 percent of the vote. The result doubles the party's previous vote share, leaving open the possibility of an absolute majority required to govern the eastern German state independently.

Meanwhile, the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) suffered a major decline, obtaining between 18.5 and 23 percent. An outright victory for AfD would mark the first time a far-right party leads a German state government since World War II.

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed dismay over the results during an appearance in Cologne, describing the outcome as "simply shocking" and "a real turning point in history." She added that the defeat was particularly painful for her as a CDU member.

Sources: Avaz, HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix, Poslovni dnevnik