AfD Wins Historic German State Election but Faces Obstacles to Forming Government

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party, known as the AfD, has won Saxony-Anhalt’s state election with a historic result. Exit polls put the party at roughly 44.5 percent, well ahead of its rivals. Despite the victory, the AfD may not be able to govern alone, as Germany’s established parties have traditionally rejected coalition cooperation with it. The outcome increases pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc and strengthens the far right’s influence over immigration and national political debate and policy.