Germany’s AfD wins in key state: Is far-right on cusp of national rule?

For the first time since World War II, a far-right party is within reach of power at state level in Germany, after coming first in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday.The Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 44 percent of the vote, stopping short of an overall majority but making clear its wide political significance.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US envoys hold ‘substantive’ talks with Zelenskyy in first visit to Kyivlist 2 of 3German far-right AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt election, falls short of majoritylist 3 of 3Can AfD form Germany’s first far-right state government since World War II?end of listOn election night, AfD’s leader in the state called on other political groups to cooperate. “As a democrat, I will reach out to all those who wish to work with us to bring about a fundamental political turnaround,” Ulrich Siegmund said.Yet, forming a government will prove difficult. The AfD has been classified as “far-right extremist” by the domestic intelligence agency and other political groups remain wary of striking an alliance.The AfD has dismissed accusations of extremism and mainstream parties have been unable to halt its surge in the polls over recent months. Latest polling indicate...