Germany's far-right AfD party wins first state election, exit polls show

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has secured a significant victory in the regional elections held in Thuringia and Saxony, with 32.8% of the vote in Thuringia and 30.6% in Saxony. This marks the first time a far-right party has won a state election in Germany since the Nazi era. The AfD's success is seen as a reflection of the growing fragmentation of the political landscape and the rise of anti-establishment parties across Europe.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has made significant gains in the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, with projections showing they will win between 30.5-33.5% of the vote in Thuringia and come close second to the conservative CDU in Saxony. This marks the first time since World War II that a far-right party has come first in a regional vote. The AfD's success is seen as a barometer for the federal election next year, with business associations expressing concern about the economic and social consequences of the party's rise. The AfD's leader, Björn Höcke, is aiming to become the first AfD politician to serve as premier of one of Germany's 16 federal states. However, it is unlikely that the AfD will come to power in either state, as other parties have ruled out working with the far right to form a government. The AfD's success is also seen as a blow to the center-left Social Democrats and the liberal FDP.