By Maria Martinez BERLIN, Sept 9 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday he remained sceptical that proceedings to ban the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party would succeed,

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,

The far-right party won 44 percent of the vote in elections in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt.

By Andreas Rinke and Kirsti Knolle BERLIN, Sept 9 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the Alternative for Germany on Wednesday of supporting Russia against Germany's interests and advocating anti-migration policies that were tantamount to "ethnic cleansing".

The "extraordinary" result may be the "most consequential German state-election result of the postwar era," according to analysts.

The AfD may not end up controlling Germany's Saxony-Anhalt state despite a landslide election victory, but the far-right party's "dream result" sends a clear message.

Ulrich Siegmund is the most likely next leader of the eastern state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt after a historic election win.

Friedrich Merz cancelled a phone call with Donald Trump hours after the US president celebrated the AfD’s election win.

Alternative for Germany failed to secure an absolute majority in the state legislature to govern alone and overcome the so-called firewall of mainstream parties' refusal to work with AfD.