AfD’s overwhelming showing is more than a warning to Germany’s political elite

The Alternative for Germany has performed even better in Saxony-Anhalt than its most favorable polls predicted, according to early projections. The figures put the far-right party at between 44% and 44.5% of the vote in Sunday’s election.

These are still projections, not official results. They may not give the AfD enough support to form its first government. But the scale of the showing is already being presented as a political shock.

For Germany’s political elite, the article argues, the result represents more than a warning. Even without taking power, the AfD’s projected strength could shake the country’s political landscape.