AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt state election with record result, CDU in shock

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party claimed a historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, securing over 40 percent of the vote — its strongest result ever in a German state vote. The result delivered a crushing defeat to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU, which saw its support collapse, and sent shockwaves through Berlin and Brussels.

Reaction from Merz

A visibly shaken Chancellor Merz called the result "the hardest defeat" of his party and vowed to press ahead with federal government reforms despite the setback. Merz later cancelled a planned trip to a summit in Paris, citing a "packed schedule" following the election result.

Formation challenge

Despite the record result, the AfD fell short of an absolute majority by three seats and cannot govern alone. The party signalled it would seek coalition partners, but mainstream parties have maintained a longstanding policy of refusing to govern alongside the AfD.

Wider fallout

Poland expressed concern about the AfD's success, warning of its potential impact on regional security and European unity. The result amplified existing fears across Europe about the rise of far-right parties in major EU member states. The AfD insists that "democracy demands" other parties work with it.