From 2d agoMerz concedes 'most severe election defeat' in 'years, or decades'Merz begins by saying “we are all deeply shocked” by the result in Saxony-Anchalt.“We did not expect it to turn out this way,” he says.He says the vote “will have repercussions” and says even a glance at who congratulated the AfD shows “the level of international attention this result has garnered.”He says that “when nearly 60% of voters … cast their ballots for political parties that fundamentally call into question our country’s democratic institutions … it is an election result we cannot simply move past as if nothing happened.”He concedes this is “the most severe election defeat the CDU has suffered in years, indeed in decades.”Key events2d agoClosing summary2d agoEU's report to challenge conventional thinking on defence scrapped amid opposition from big member states2d agoWhy is far-right AfD’s state victory significant and what might happen next in German politics?2d agoSerbia's government asks president to dissolve parliament, call early elections2d agoRussia orders Germany to close St Petersburg consulate, Goethe Institutes in retaliation for Leipzig drone attack attribution2d agoEU's von der Leyen unveils €200m 'partnership package' for Greenland amid US interest2d agoMerz says he will not deviate 'even a millimeter' from pro-Ukraine course despite support for pro-Russian parties2d ago'Giving up is not an option,' Merz says2d agoCDU's Saxony-Anhalt leader 'cannot see' defections to help AfD get majority2d agoAfD win celebrated '2,500 kilometers east from here,' Merz says2d agoCDU 'no longer has mandate to govern' in Saxony-Anhalt, outgoing premier concedes2d agoGermany needs 'fundamental reforms,' Merz says2d agoMerz concedes 'most severe election defeat' in 'years, or decades'2d agoGermany's Merz reacts to Saxony-Anhalt election result2d agoFar-right AfD win in Germany is ‘grave moment’ for Europe, politicians warn2d ago'We cannot simply carry on as before,' Merz reportedly told party bosses, as he prepares to respond to AfD win2d agoUK Srebrenica charity criticises Mladić's funeral with honours, urges UK government to condemn it2d agoOSCE expresses 'serious concern' about coverage of Mladić's funeral, blocked in Bosnia2d agoGlorification of war criminals, genocide denial contradict fundamental EU values, spokesperson says2d agoMladić's funeral gets under way in Belgrade2d agoSaxony-Anhalt election results - in full2d agoItalian press write about 'darkness above Berlin' after AfD's state election win2d agoChancellor Merz hosts crisis talks after AfD's win, reports say2d agoGerman freedom undermined by Russian drones, Moscow-friendly lawmakers, minister warns2d agoAfD to open talks on ruling in Saxony-Anhalt2d agoAfD eyes 40% vote share at 2029 parliamentary election, Weidel says2d agoAfD's Weidel celebrates 'a dream result' for far-right AfD2d agoAfD leaders speak after Saxony-Anhalt win2d agoAfD's gain in Germany will be seen as a worrying sign ahead of 2027 election marathon - snap analysis2d agoItalian government split in reactions to AfD's win2d agoEuropean leaders concerned about AfD win2d agoRussian presidential aide praises 'historic' win for 'pragmatic' pro-Russian AfD2d agoAfD state leader thanks Elon Musk for support after Saxony-Anhalt win2d agoMorning opening: What now after AfD's election triumph?Closing summaryJakub KrupaAnd, on that note, we will be closing the blog for today.