AfD's Saxony-Anhalt win shakes German politics

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won over 44 percent of the vote in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt's election, more than doubling its 2021 result and threatening to upend national politics. The AfD fell short of an absolute majority and faces a "firewall" preventing coalitions with mainstream parties, though the minor BSW party has signaled potential cooperation. Exit polls showed only 16 percent of voters prioritized immigration, with economy and education ranking higher. The result reflects broader European far-right trends, including gains in Italy, the UK, and France. Analysts warn of eroding democratic norms, with implications for the EU, Ukraine, and NATO.