Germany’s political establishment is facing a major new challenge after the populist Alternative for Germany, better known as AfD, surged to a historic first-place finish in the Saxony-Anhalt state election.
The result represents a significant breakthrough for a party that has spent years being isolated by Germany’s traditional political class and routinely branded as “far-right” by its opponents.
According to The New York Times, the AfD was projected to capture roughly 44 percent of the vote, putting it well ahead of its rivals. The party was also expected to win 39 of the 83 seats in the state parliament.
