AfD wins big in Saxony-Anhalt but falls short of majority

The far-right AfD won a historic 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt's regional election, a 23-point surge, but fell short of an absolute majority with 39 of 42 needed seats. The CDU collapsed to 17.2%. The AfD's victory marks its best regional result ever, driven by high turnout at 77.8%. The CDU's Sven Schulze suffered a crushing defeat, while the BSW narrowly entered parliament with 5.3%, potentially open to cooperation with the AfD. Other parties previously ruled out coalitions with the AfD, but BSW leader Thomas Schulze said they will talk to all parties. AfD leaders hint at possible CDU defections, though uncertainty remains over forming a government.