Merkel’s CDU beats far right in crucial state election

Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) fought off the far right in a state election seen as the last big test before a national vote in September that will end the chancellor’s 16 years atop German politics. The CDU, whose current leader, Armin Laschet, will vie for the top job in September, improved on its 2017 performance to gain 37% of the vote in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The nationalist Alternative für Deutschland party (AfD) came second on 21%.