AfD wins historic state election in Saxony-Anhalt but misses majority

Germany's far-right party AfD achieved a historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on September 6, securing 44% of the vote and 39 of 83 parliamentary seats, though falling short of the 42 seats needed for an absolute majority. This marks the closest a far-right party has come to state power in Germany since World War II. AfD could potentially form a coalition with the left-wing Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, but has shown no interest in doing so. AfD campaigned on deporting foreigners, a pro-Russia stance, conservative values, immigration restrictions, and public broadcasting reform. State premier candidate Ulrich Siegmund called it a historic moment, claiming the result grants a mandate for "sensible diplomacy" with both Russia and the US.