Final results from the Saxony-Anhalt state election in Germany confirm the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) as the winners, but without a majority in the state parliament. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
AfD leaders Ulrich Siegmund, Tino Chrupalla, and Alice Weidel appeared on stage at the AfD election party for the 2026 state election under the slogan "It begins here." The photo was taken by dts News Agency Germany/Shutterstock.
Now chaotic discussions are underway about what comes next, including theoretical scenarios with defections, a minority government backed on an issue-by-issue basis by the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or even a snap election to resolve the deadlock.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to speak around lunchtime. German media are running grainy pictures of Merz looking glumly on the backseat of his car, suggesting pressure on him will only increase.
Political reactions are coming from across Europe, with more likely to follow. Separately, attention is on Ursula von der Leyen's trip to Greenland amid renewed US interest in the territory, and on the funeral of Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladić.
It's Friday, 4 September 2026, Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.