‘Germany’s most dangerous man’ leads AfD landslide as rivals scramble to keep far right out

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a significant victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, securing 43.8% of the vote and 39 out of 83 seats in the state parliament. This outcome, which more than doubled their previous support, marks a major breakthrough for the party, founded 13 years ago. Despite falling short of an outright majority, the result has created political complications as most other parties, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), have ruled out cooperation with the AfD, maintaining a "firewall" against the far-right. AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund stated, "If necessary, we'll simply have new elections, and then we'll get 50 or 55%." The AfD's rise is attributed to growing frustration over immigration, economic stagnation, and dissatisfaction with mainstream parties, with the party advocating for "remigration" and pro-Russian policies. The victory has drawn reactions from international figures like Matteo Salvini, Viktor Orbán, and Elon Musk, and has caused unease within Germany's Jewish community, with a senior Israeli official calling it a "real alarm."