Saxony-Anhalt: How dangerous will the AfD landslide victory be for Merz?
The CDU is halving its result, the AfD is doubling theirs - and could come to power in a federal state for the first time. Chancellor Merz faces difficult weeks ahead.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has achieved a landslide victory in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, doubling its vote share to over 40%, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has suffered a crushing defeat, halving its vote share to under 20%. The outcome has the potential to shake up federal politics and put Merz in serious difficulties.
The AfD, classified as right-wing extremist by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, may become the first such party to form a government in a German state. The CDU is now faced with the option of forming a minority government with the support of the Left party, or going into opposition.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
