Far-right AfD wins key German state election but majority remains uncertain

Germany’s far-right Alternative fur Deutschland has won a crucial state election in Saxony-Anhalt, exit polls showed, but the party may fall short of the majority needed to govern alone.

Initial projections put the AfD on 44.4 percent of the vote, nearly double its 23.7 percent result in 2021.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats trailed on about 18.4 percent.

The result could bring the AfD closer to becoming Germany’s first far-right party to govern at state level since the Second World War.

However, votes were still being counted and the party appeared unlikely to secure an absolute majority.

Other mainstream parties have maintained their “firewall” against working with the AfD, while the party itself has ruled out joining a coalition.

“We have made history in this country,” AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund told supporters.

“We extend a hand to all ‌democratic forces that wish to pursue ​better policies,” he later told public broadcaster ARD.

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel called the result a “clear government mandate”.