Far-right AfD wins historic victory in German state election

BERLIN – The Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged into first place in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, exit polls showed, putting a far-right party on the cusp of power at state level for the first time since World War Two. With 44% of the vote, the AfD handed a drubbing to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives, reflecting the deep unpopularity of Germany’s ruling coalition and the rise of hard-line parties in a fracturing political landscape. If the AfD can translate its win into a majority of seats in the state parliament, it will secure a foothold for advancing its agenda to heavily restrict immigration, restore ties with Russia, cut support to Ukraine and quit the euro.