Merz to respond as Germany’s far-right AfD wins key state election – Europe live

AfD state leader thanks Elon Musk for support after Saxony-Anhalt win

On Sunday night, Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s lead candidate, thanked Musk on X “for your support and for your clear and highly important perspective on the political developments of our time”, adding: “I would very much welcome the opportunity for strong and constructive cooperation”.

Siegmund wrote his comments after Musk said “Well done!” in German to AfD co-founder Alice Weidel, when she posted about the projected win.

Morning opening: What now after AfD's election triumph?

Europe wakes up this morning to final results of the Saxony-Anhalt state election in Germany, with the far-right Alternative für Deutschland confirmed as the winners – but without a majority in the state parliament.

Cue chaotic discussions about what’s next, including theoretical scenarios with defections, a minority government backed on issue-by-issue basis by the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or even… a snap election to resolve the deadlock.

We are expecting to hear from the embattled German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, around lunchtime. With German media running grainy pictures of Merz looking glumly on the backseat of his car, it is probably fair to say that the pressure on him will only increase.

There are also lots of political reactions from across Europe, with no doubt more to come.

I will bring you all the latest here.

Separately, I will keep an eye 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, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.