The Alternative for Germany took 43.8 percent in Saxony-Anhalt's state election, 39 of 83 seats, and still did not win the right to govern alone. [1] Turnout hit 77.8 percent. [1] The CDU collapsed to 17.2 percent. [1] A record is not a cabinet.

Berlin Spectator called it the strongest far-right result in a German state election since the war, and also printed the missing majority. [1] The AfD is classified as confirmed right-wing extremist in the state. [1] Coalition math now runs through a firewall that Sunday night's count did not repeal. Russian intermediaries celebrated; that celebration is not a coalition agreement.

Monday's paper does not appoint a minister-president. It records a share, a shortfall, and a program that wants cheap Russian energy and an end to Ukraine aid. The share is Magdeburg's. The government is still unformed.

Thirty-nine seats in an 83-seat house is a blocking minority with a hangover, not a chancellor. [1] Anyone selling a national turn from a Magdeburg night is skipping the Bundestag.

The CDU's 17.2 percent is the companion humiliation. [1] A firewall needs a partner large enough to stand on the other side of it.

Turnout at 77.8 percent undercuts the excuse that only the angry voted. [1] The angry were numerous and punctual.

Magdeburg's night is a Landtag result, not a Bundestag turn. A federal firewall needs a partner large enough to stand on the other side. No ministry list landed Monday.

Monday named no ministry. No ministry list landed Monday. The angry were numerous and punctual.

Monday named no ministry. No ministry list landed Monday. The angry were numerous and punctual.

-- HENDRIK VAN DER BERG, Brussels