AfD doubles support in Saxony-Anhalt election, CDU collapses to under 18%

The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) doubled its result in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, securing over 44% of the vote, its best-ever performance in a major German election. The ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) collapsed to under 18%, losing half its previous support. The AfD gained nearly 83,000 voters from the CDU and mobilized many previous non-voters, with 56% of its 279,000 new supporters not having voted in 2021. Turnout surged to 80%, up from 60.3% in the previous state election. The AfD won 39 of 83 parliamentary seats, short of an absolute majority, and other parties have largely ruled out a coalition with it. The CDU's incumbent state premier, Sven Schulze, is now seen as a caretaker leader facing likely resignation.