The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged to first place in Saxony-Anhalt's state election with nearly 44% of the vote, a dramatic rise from 20.8% in 2021. "We have made history," declared AfD state premier candidate Ulrich Siegmund. While the party likely falls short of an absolute majority in the Landtag, the result marks the first time in postwar Germany the far right has won a state election. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) collapsed to under 18%, down from 37.1% in 2021, its worst result since reunification.

The outcome shatters the established parties' "firewall" strategy against the AfD and boosts the party ahead of upcoming elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Meanwhile, Europe faces warnings of failing to deter Russia's "hybrid" war, EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri overhauls management after a clash with the founder's son, and Apple's John Ternus prepares to unveil a foldable iPhone priced above $2,000. In the UK, police face scrutiny over anti-migrant protests in Dover, while Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin but failed to achieve a breakthrough on Ukraine.