AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt: Siegmund claims mandate, rejects coalition offers

The AfD won the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, with leader Ulrich Siegmund declaring a clear mandate to govern and rejecting compromise offers from other parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the CDU faced a defeat, which the AfD called a "debacle." Siegmund stated he will only become Minister-President with his own majority, refusing the BSW's offer to abstain in a third vote. He seeks support from a whole faction or individual lawmakers willing to adopt his "basic positions" on migration, security, and energy policy, including canceling the MDR state treaty. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel called the result historic, citing mobilization of non-voters. The AfD's plans face warnings from the IWH economic institute, which projects lower growth and a €2.2 billion annual funding gap for its promises. Siegmund dismissed these concerns, citing support from business leaders and Elon Musk, while Weidel claimed Germany is "de facto bankrupt."