Merz vows to continue reforms after AfD's Saxony-Anhalt election win

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday he is "deeply shocked" by the far-right AfD's landslide victory in Sunday's Saxony-Anhalt state election, where the party fell just short of a majority and now has a strong chance of forming the first far-right state government since the Nazi era. Merz vowed to stay in office and continue his unpopular reform agenda, insisting "giving up is not an option for me." He also sought to reassure allies that Germany's institutions remain stable and that Berlin will not shift its stance on defending freedom against Russia, despite the AfD's Russia-friendly platform. The AfD is three seats short of a majority and faces tricky coalition maneuvering, potentially courting the hard-left BSW party or individual defectors. The result drew congratulations from Elon Musk and right-wing populists across Europe, while Polish and French officials condemned it.