AfD wins 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt, seeks coalition partners; Merz says CDU 'shaken to the core'

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 43.8 percent of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, seeking coalition partners to form a government. Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted the CDU is "shaken to the core" by the result. The AfD secured 39 of 83 parliamentary seats, short of an absolute majority. The ruling CDU suffered its worst-ever result in the state with 17.2 percent, while the populist BSW party won 5.3 percent and could be a potential coalition partner. The AfD plans to nominate Ulrich Siegmund as state premier and has not ruled out new elections if coalition talks fail. The result has drawn international reactions, including from US President Donald Trump and Russian officials.