The Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged into first place in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, exit polls showed, putting a far-right party on the cusp of power at state level for the first time since World War Two.⁣ ⁣ The AfD won 44.5% of the vote, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives trailing on 18.5%, and the centre-left Social Democrats and environmental Greens both clearing the minimum threshold to enter parliament.⁣ ⁣ "We have made history in this country," said Ulrich Siegmund, the 35-year-old AfD lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, who drew thousands to his campaign rallies and who repeatedly cast victory in the state as a first step towards securing national power in federal elections due in 2029.⁣ ⁣ The result marks a major advance in the AfD's push for national power and a significant setback for Merz's coalition government, although it remained unclear whether the party would be able to form a state government. ⁣ ⁣ Turnout was around 76%, well above levels ...