AfD landslide in Saxony-Anhalt election, exit polls show

In the recent regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a remarkable victory, garnering at least 44% of the votes, more than doubling its prior support. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, obtained 18.5%. This achievement represents a historic milestone for the AfD, which aspires to form a regional government for the first time since World War II. Ulrich Siegmund, the lead candidate, remarked, "We have made history today." Meanwhile, Sven Schulze from the CDU described the outcome as "a severe blow," although a multiparty coalition remains a possibility. All significant parties have committed to establishing a "firewall" against the AfD, deemed "right-wing extremist," as complex coalition talks loom.