The results came in as predicted: The AfD, which is considered far-right extremist in parts, won the election in Saxony-Anhalt and could now put forward the state’s minister-president and take over the state government.
What hardly anyone expected, however, was this: The governing CDU is now barely half as strong as it was, while the other parties have been left far behind. Calling it a landslide victory for the AfD is no exaggeration. And many commentators go so far as to call it a turning point in Germany’s postwar history.
Keep calm and carry on?
"A state government led by the AfD would certainly be seen by many as a turning point and would further fuel the debate over how best to deal with the party," Commerzbank economist Ralph Solveen told Reuters.
At the same time, he advises waiting to see what happens, saying that things are rarely as bad as they seem.
