Saxony-Anhalt CDU faces opposition after AfD election win

The far-right AfD won the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, a result Chancellor Friedrich Merz called a "deep shock" and the CDU's worst defeat in decades. The party is classified as definitively right-wing extremist in the state. CDU top candidate Sven Schulze announced he will propose a procedure to the state board, acknowledging his party has no mandate to govern and is now in opposition. SPD leaders ruled out a personnel debate over Merz, while the Greens and others called for a course correction. The AfD won nearly 44 percent of the vote but lacks an absolute majority, making government formation difficult. Parties are considering options including a non-partisan minister-president or a potential new election, as Schulze rejected concerns about CDU members defecting to the AfD.