Merz shaken as AfD dominates Saxony-Anhalt politics

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was deeply shocked by the AfD’s landslide win in Saxony-Anhalt (43.8% vs CDU’s 17.2%), a result that doubles the party’s share since 2021 and prompts promises of consequences and fundamental reforms along with a stronger policy narrative. CDU lead candidate Sven Schulze stressed there would be no defections to the AfD as the party weighs the possibility of forming a government with outside support, while the CDU’s state leadership faces renewed calls for change from the JU Saxony-Anhalt. The outcome marks a watershed moment in German politics and raises questions about migration policy and governance at the federal level.