Europe woke up this morning to the confirmation that Germany's far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) won the Saxony-Anhalt state election - but without a majority, leaving the state in a political limbo that promises chaos, speculation, and possibly a snap election. The party's co-leaders, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, alongside state leader Ulrich Siegmund, held a press conference to bask in what Weidel called a "dream result" - the party's best "by a wide margin." She credited the triumph to former non-voters turning out, calling it "a triumph for democracy." The electorate, she claimed, has "lost trust" in the federal government, adding that "no chancellor before him was as unpopular as Friedrich Merz is." Weidel insisted the election shows people want a change in policy, particularly on irregular migration, energy, and taxes.

Meanwhile, Bild newspaper reports that Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called crisis talks within his CDU party this morning to discuss his response to the result. "Merz is under massive pressure," the paper notes. He is expected to speak to the media around 1.30pm local time (12:30 UK). German media are running grainy pictures of Merz looking glumly from the backseat of his car - an apt metaphor for his current predicament.

Siegmund declared the party has "a mandate to govern" and said he would run for minister-president if a stable majority emerges, but stressed the AfD would not compromise on its principles. He hinted at the possibility of defections from other parties, saying he would hold discussions "if there are individual groups or MPs willing to join us in tackling this historic task." He also expressed hope that Weidel could become chancellor, noting the AfD's ambitions are "not just about Saxony-Anhalt; they are about Germany."

Chrupalla echoed the anti-establishment rhetoric, saying the electorate is "fed up" with the government "transferring billions of our tax money to Ukraine... instead of using it for our own population." Weidel insisted the CDU/CSU "will never again be able to win a federal election," predicting the AfD would get "at least" 40% at the next federal election in 2029.

European reactions were predictably divided. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was blunt: "In Poland, only idiots or traitors can rejoice at the triumph of the AfD in Germany." France's Europe minister, Benjamin Haddad, called the win "a serious moment in Europe," warning that "nationalism and xenophobia will never be a solution." But Hungary's Viktor Orbán celebrated "a huge night for Germany and Europe!" and Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev praised a "historic win for the pragmatic AfD." Elon Musk also chimed in with a "Well done!" in German to Weidel, which Siegmund thanked on X, expressing hope for "strong and constructive cooperation."

Italy's reaction exposed divisions in Giorgia Meloni's coalition. Deputy PM Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League, called the victory "remarkable" and reportedly congratulated AfD leader Alice Weidel. But Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, of the centre-right Forza Italia, called it "terrible news" - because it concerns a political force "antithetical to the liberal and western values." Meloni herself has remained silent, though reports suggest her views align more with Tajani, seeing the result as a warning that the EU must respond more effectively to citizens' concerns.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned that freedom in Germany is "threatened from outside by Russian drones in our skies and from inside by Moscow's ideological low-flyers in our parliaments." Berlin has blamed Russia for a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport in August, and the AfD has been pushing for restoring ties with Russia.

The Saxony-Anhalt election is seen as a bellwether ahead of key elections across Europe in the next 12 months, including state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and national races in France, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Poland next year. As Orbán said, "buckle up."