Far-right AfD wins historic state election in Saxony-Anhalt

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party secured a major victory in regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, winning nearly 44% of the vote. The result marks the strongest performance by a far-right party in a German state election since World War II, pushing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union into second place.

State AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund stated that negotiations toward building a governing majority had begun. In the Bundestag, Merz strongly criticized AfD leader Alice Weidel, describing her party as a "destructive force" and condemning its migration stance. Former U.S. President Donald Trump praised the election result, while several German state authorities continue to classify the regional party branch as extremist. Mainstream political leaders now face intense pressure over coalition options to keep the party from state governance.

Sources: BBC News, France24, Politico Europe (Defense), Sweden Herald, The Guardian