Far-Right Party Wins Big in a German State

Germany's far-right party, Alternative for Germany, beat Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU conservatives in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in early September 2026, winning 43.8% — just short of winning outright, like missing a win by one goal. Merz runs Germany's government with a partner, the SPD. Keeping that team together under AfD pressure will shape what Germany can do in Europe.