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

Far-right win leaves Germany's Merz shaken as AfD plots path to power Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced a stunning setback after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) captured the most votes in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD secured nearly 44% of the vote, securing 39 of the 83 seats in the state legislature. This result marked the first time a far-right party came close to forming a government in postwar Germany. Merz ruled out cooperation with the AfD but acknowledged the outcome had shaken his party "to its very foundations." The AfD, which opposes mass immigration, supports closer ties with Russia, and seeks to end Germany's backing of Ukraine, is now positioning itself to form a coalition. It hopes to attract individual lawmakers from Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which saw its representation drop sharply from 40 to 16 seats. The CDU, which has long refused to work with the AfD under the "firewall" policy, faces pressure to reconsider its stance amid the unexpected electoral shift. Merz expressed deep concern over the result, calling it "the worst election result in decades" for his party. At a press conference, he vowed to continue pushing forward with his government's reform agenda despite the loss. His approval ratings have reached historic lows, and the defeat in Saxony-Anhalt comes as his coalition struggles to boost economic growth in Germany, the European Union's largest economy. The AfD's national co-leader, Tino Chrupalla, urged CDU lawmakers to abandon the firewall policy and join efforts to create a "conservative majority" in Saxony-Anhalt. "Partisan games really ought to be a thing of the past," he said during a radio interview. Meanwhile, the AfD's regional leader, Ulrich Siegmund, declared the result a "historical" victory for his party, claiming it had received a clear mandate to govern. Despite its strong showing, the AfD still lacks an absolute majority in the state legislature, needing four additional seats to secure control. This has raised questions about whether the party can form a stable government. Some smaller parties, including the far-left BSW, have signaled openness to working with the AfD, although both groups share similar stances on immigration and foreign policy. The election results have alarmed Germany's neighbors, particularly France and Poland, who view the AfD's rise as a threat to European stability. The party's pro-Russia stance and calls to end support for Ukraine have drawn criticism from Western allies. Merz emphasized that Germany would not compromise on its defense commitments, stating that the unity of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was at stake. In response to the AfD's success, Merz reiterated his commitment to defending Western values and maintaining support for Ukraine. He dismissed suggestions that he might step down, insisting that he would continue pursuing his reform agenda. "Giving up is not an option for me," he said. The AfD's performance in Saxony-Anhalt reflects broader dissatisfaction with Germany's mainstream parties, which many voters see as out of touch. The party has capitalized on growing frustration with the economy, immigration policies, and perceived failures in governance. Siegmund highlighted these issues, noting that the election result signaled a desire for change among voters. With more state elections looming in the coming months, Merz faces mounting challenges in reversing his party's decline. The AfD's near-victory in Saxony-Anhalt underscores the shifting political landscape in Germany, where traditional power structures are being tested by rising far-right influence.