Far-right AfD wins historic state election in Saxony-Anhalt

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won a historic state election in Saxony-Anhalt with about 44% of the vote, the strongest result for such a party since World War II, though it fell short of an absolute majority. The AfD's victory more than doubled the 18.5% share for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The party may seek a coalition with the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which won 5%, though the AfD has expressed no interest in such an agreement. The result, based on exit polls from broadcaster ARD, signals a major shift in German politics. The AfD campaigned on anti-immigration and economic discontent, while critics accuse it of lacking development plans and promoting hate politics.