AfD’s Saxony-Anhalt win tests Germany’s Ukraine policy

The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) won a historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, securing 39 of 83 parliamentary seats, a result unprecedented in the country's post-war history. The outcome is seen as a significant test for Germany's political system. The party's success is attributed to economic grievances in the former East German state, including low wages and an aging population, alongside a campaign featuring nostalgia for the GDR era. The AfD also used Ukraine as a political marker, criticizing military aid and advocating for normalized relations with Russia. Experts say the result will likely not directly change Germany's federal policy on Ukraine, but it signals growing far-right popularity that could influence future national support. The AfD remains short of an absolute majority, and coalition formation with other parties is considered unlikely.