The AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt has roots specific to eastern Germany. But the economic insecurity behind its rise is increasingly visible across the country.

German voters headed to the polls Sunday for a crucial regional election in the ex-communist east where the far-right, anti-immigration and Moscow-friendly AfD is expected to win…

While short of an overall majority, the AfD won 44% of the vote and delivered a drubbing to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives, reflecting the deep unpopularity of…