AfD's historic win in Saxony-Anhalt shakes Germany and Europe
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a historic electoral landslide in the state of Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, alarming the European Union and Germany's traditional political parties. The result intensifies pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centrist coalition government. Saxony-Anhalt is Germany's poorest region, and the AfD's victory marks the first outstanding electoral win for a hard-right nationalist party in Germany since 1945. The party, which is partly labelled anti-democratic by authorities, campaigns on an anti-immigration, nationalist platform and is now polling as the largest party nationwide. The result has drawn reactions from across Europe, with nationalist leaders praising it while centrists warn of a serious moment. The AfD's pro-Russia stance contrasts with Germany's role as a major Ukraine donor, and the victory comes ahead of a busy EU election season.