CDU leader Schulze resigns after AfD's historic win in Saxony-Anhalt

The far-right AfD won a historic victory in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, securing 43.8 percent of the vote, but fell short of an absolute majority. The CDU suffered a devastating collapse, dropping to 17.2 percent, leading to calls for party leader Sven Schulze's resignation. The AfD's success was driven by mobilizing 170,000 previous non-voters and winning over 80,000 former CDU supporters. The CDU's national leadership, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz, acknowledged the defeat as a "tectonic shock" to the party system, while the AfD has invited all parties to exploratory talks to form a government. The CDU has ruled out governing with the Left party, and a broad anti-AfD coalition is considered unlikely. The BSW party, which entered parliament with 5.3 percent, has indicated it might abstain in a potential third-round vote for an AfD minister-president, while AfD leader Alice Weidel claims a clear mandate to govern.