AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt but fails to secure majority, leaving coalition talks uncertain

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the state election in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday but failed to secure an absolute majority of seats, preventing it from governing alone. The result has triggered a political crisis for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his CDU party. The AfD secured 43.8% of the vote, while the CDU fell to 17.2%, its worst result in the state. The SPD, Greens, and Left party each entered parliament with around 9%, and the BSW also passed the 5% threshold, while the FDP was eliminated. Turnout reached 78%, the highest since 1990. All mainstream parties refuse to cooperate with the AfD, leaving the path to government unclear. The result has intensified calls within the CDU for Merz's resignation, with further state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin expected in two weeks.