The far-right party AfD became the most voted force in Saxony-Anhalt, a federal state of Germany, according to the announced electoral results. This victory represents a significant milestone in German politics and places Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government under growing pressure.
Merz's CDU party suffered a heavy defeat, losing about half of its previous electorate in the state. This result constitutes a harsh blow to the chancellor, who governs in coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD).
The SPD, for its part, remained weak in the results, failing to recover significant ground in this regional election. The social-democratic formation continues to face difficulties in gaining political momentum.
Merz spoke to the press in the early afternoon, reacting to the election results. The defeat in Saxony-Anhalt feeds the internal challenges his government faces, in a context of rise of extremist parties in Germany.
