AfD's Saxony-Anhalt Win Deals Blow to Merz and Signals German Political Turmoil

Germany's far-right party AfD won a historic victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, securing nearly 44% of votes and 39 of 83 parliamentary seats. The result is a major blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU, which received only 17.2%. The AfD holds a clear anti-Ukraine position, calling for an end to military and financial aid to Kyiv, lifting sanctions against Russia, and resuming cheap Russian gas imports. The party also advocates stricter deportation procedures, including for Ukrainian refugees, and has been classified as "confirmed right-wing extremist" by state authorities. All centrist parties maintain a "sanitary cordon" refusing coalition with the AfD, complicating government formation. Analysts warn the result signals deep political instability in Germany, potentially affecting EU unity on Ukraine support, though Berlin's federal policy is not expected to change immediately.