The ‌far-right Alternative for Germany scored ‌a historic victory in the eastern ​state of Saxony-Anhalt, exit polls showed on Sunday, dealing ​a blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s ⁠conservatives, but it was ‌unclear whether ‌the ​result would be enough to ⁠govern.

The ​AfD won 44.5 per cent ​of the vote, ‌according to exit polls ​of ARD broadcaster, up from ⁠20.8 per cent ⁠in ​2021.

Merz’s CDU fell to 18.5 per cent from 37.1 per cent in 2021, a setback in a state the conservatives ‌have governed ⁠since 2002.

Most parties have ruled out joining ‌an AfD-led coalition, meaning the party ​would likely need ​a majority of seats to take power. – Reuters

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