Tonight’s regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, have yielded historic results, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party making significant gains. According to initial reports, the AfD garnered between 41% and 44% of the vote, a jump of over 20 percentage points in five years – an unprecedented surge. This outcome elevates the AfD to record levels of support within the Saxony-Anhalt region, formerly part of the German Democratic Republic (ex-RDA). Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, declared the evening a historic moment for the party. The gains made by the AfD are coupled with a dramatic collapse in support for Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Uncertainty now surrounds the formation of a future governing majority in Saxony-Anhalt.