AfD's historic win in Saxony-Anhalt shakes Germany's political order

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won a historic state election victory in Saxony-Anhalt with nearly 44% of the vote, delivering a major blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government and paving the way for the party to implement its radical policies. The AfD secured 39 of 83 seats, while Merz's CDU slumped to 17.2%. France and Poland reacted with alarm, while Russia's envoy hailed the result. The party, formed in 2013, plans sweeping reforms on immigration, education, and culture ahead of the 2029 national elections. Germany's domestic intelligence agency has listed the AfD as a suspected extremist organization since 2023. Mainstream parties have refused to cooperate with the party under a "firewall" against the far-right, but none currently appear able to defeat it at the ballot box.