Alternative for Germany (AfD) may not have won the supermajority it sought in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on Sunday, but the far-right party did take another giant step toward power in a country whose postwar democracy was designed to prevent the return of right-wing extremism.

The German party hopes to make Saxony-Anhalt a showcase for its ideas on immigration, education, culture and demographics.

The victory of a far-right party in a German state election has raised alarm across Europe. Many fear it heralds the demise of an anti-fascist consensus dating back to the defeat of the Nazis.

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged to first place in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, winning 44% of the vote. But the anti-immigrant, pro-Russian party fell three seats short of an absolute majority,

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday he was "deeply shocked" after the Alternative for Germany (AfD) scored a resounding victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The far-right party

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is "very, very close" to taking power, its deputy parliamentary leader has told the BBC, after a historic victory in elections for the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.

But with the AfD falling short of an absolute majority, it remains unclear who can form a government in the largely rural state of 2.1 million people. Here are some key questions and answers about what happens next: What was the election result?