Far-right win leaves Germany's Merz shaken as AfD plots path to power - Reuters

**Germany’s far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) shocked the political establishment on Saturday by emerging as the largest party in the Saxony‑Anhalt state election.** The party captured roughly 27 % of the vote, outpacing the centre‑right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) – which fell to just over 20 % – and the Social Democrats, which slipped to around 15 %. The result gives the AfD a clear mandate to lead coalition talks in a state that has traditionally been a CDU stronghold, marking the first time the party has topped a German state poll since its founding in 2013. Voter turnout was high, reflecting growing public interest in the contest between the populist right and the mainstream parties.

**The outcome rattled Friedrich Merz, the CDU’s parliamentary leader and a key contender for the party’s national chairmanship.** In a televised interview Merz described the AfD’s victory as a “shock” that “cannot simply be moved past,” warning that it could embolden extremist rhetoric across the country. While urging the CDU to remain “firm on our democratic values,” Merz also cautioned against any tacit cooperation with the AfD, insisting that “the price of legitimacy is too high for a party that consistently undermines the rule of law.” His comments underscore the internal pressure within the CDU as it balances electoral setbacks with the need to present a united front against the far right.

**The AfD has already called on other parties to engage in coalition talks, positioning itself as a potential government partner despite its controversial platform.** Analysts note that the party’s strong showing could force the CDU‑SPD‑Green “traffic light” coalition to consider more pragmatic arrangements, especially if the AfD can secure enough seats to reach a parliamentary majority with smaller regional groups. The federal government, led by the Social Democrats, now faces heightened scrutiny as opposition parties grapple with the prospect of a right‑wing administration at the state level. Observers from DW and CNBC stress that the Saxony‑Anhalt result may set a precedent for future elections, increasing pressure on Berlin to address voter concerns that have driven support for the AfD while safeguarding Germany’s democratic institutions.