Saxony-Anhalt's coalition puzzle: AfD wins, but no clear path to power

The AfD won the most votes in Saxony-Anhalt's state election but fell short of a majority, leaving the formation of a new government uncertain. The party is pushing for power, but no clear coalition path has emerged. The CDU of incumbent Minister-President Sven Schulze secured only about 17 percent, while the Left, Greens, and SPD each polled near 9 percent. The BSW barely entered parliament with over 5 percent, and the FDP failed to qualify. A CDU-led alliance against the AfD would require an unlikely five-party coalition. AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund has not ruled out seeking defectors from other parties or new elections if he cannot secure the premiership. The BSW has floated the idea of a non-partisan premier, but no other party supports this. The new parliament must convene by October 6.