AfD's Saxony-Anhalt Win Shakes Germany's Political Establishment

Germany's far-right AfD party achieved its largest electoral success yet in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, becoming the dominant party and delivering a clear rebuke to the established political order. The result marks the first time since World War II that a right-wing populist party could potentially lead a German state. The AfD's victory was fueled by voter discontent over immigration, the Ukraine war, relations with Russia, and Germany's economy. The party advocates ending sanctions on Russia, halting weapons support for Ukraine, and resuming Russian gas imports, with the result celebrated by Russian officials and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The governing CDU suffered a historic collapse, falling from 37 percent to 17 percent of the vote, though the AfD lacks a majority to govern alone. While Saxony-Anhalt is a small state with limited policy influence, the AfD's rising popularity is reflected nationwide, with two more state elections scheduled this month.