AfD wins historic regional election in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won a historic regional election victory in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, according to exit polls, becoming the first far-right party to reach the gates of regional power since World War II. Projected to win 44% of the vote, the AfD fell short of an absolute majority but delivered a heavy blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the Berlin coalition. The party aims to use this stronghold to advance its agenda of strict immigration limits, dialogue with Russia, and eurozone exit. With turnout at 77%, traditional parties have refused to cooperate with the AfD, which is under domestic intelligence surveillance for right-wing extremism. The far-left BSW could potentially partner with the AfD, while the result was celebrated by European far-right leaders and seen as a warning by French politicians.