Merz under pressure after AfD's landslide win in Saxony-Anhalt

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces mounting pressure after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won a landslide victory in a regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, potentially paving the way for its first state government since the Nazi era. The AfD secured 43.8% of the vote, more than doubling its previous share, while Merz's Christian Democrats fell to 17.2%. The result weakens Merz significantly, as his party had led the state for 24 years, and the AfD now aims to form a government with the hard-left BSW party, which won 5.3%. Coalition talks are complicated, with mainstream parties maintaining a "firewall" against cooperation with the AfD, though defections from other parties could enable a majority. The victory drew congratulations from right-wing populists across Europe and figures like Elon Musk, while critics expressed dismay, citing Germany's Nazi past. The outcome could energize the AfD in other state elections later this month, amid widespread discontent over the economy and immigration.