German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to push back against political extremism after the AfD’s strong showing in Saxony-Anhalt and the election of AfD politician Tobias Rausch as state parliament president. Merz rejected any cooperation with the AfD while also urging the SPD and Greens to block a potential Berlin government led by Die Linke’s Elif Eralp, highlighting growing tensions across Germany’s political spectrum.