Saxony-Anhalt election: AfD wins, CDU rules out coalition

Germany's state election in Saxony-Anhalt has resulted in a victory for the far-right AfD party, triggering widespread political reactions and concerns about the stability of the country's party system. The result is being described as a tectonic shift, with leaders across the political spectrum weighing in on the implications. Opposition leader Friedrich Merz stated the outcome shakes the CDU to its foundations and ruled out any cooperation with the AfD, while Bavaria's premier Markus Söder acknowledged the AfD has a mandate to form a government. The BSW party has signaled openness to working with the AfD on specific issues like ending Russia sanctions, though it rules out a formal coalition, and security officials are warning about the risks of extremist influence over state institutions. The election has also sparked broader societal reactions, with Cardinal Reinhard Marx calling for active defense of democracy and human dignity. The AfD's Martin Siegmund has set out conditions for cooperation with other parties, focusing on issues like migration and security policy, while defending the party's traditional family values position against criticism regarding its own leadership's lifestyle.