It was predicted, and it has come to pass:

Exit polls in the Saxony-Anhalt state election saw Alternative for Germany — an “extremist” party backed by Elon Musk — secure 44.5% of the vote for its candidates, with Merz’s CDU party only netting 18.5%, the ARD broadcaster reported.

The right-wing party’s co-leader, Alice Weidel, hailed the turnout as a “historic” result for her group as she vowed that Merz’s party would never win another election again.

But the national general-secretary of Merz’s party, Franziska Hoppermann, was defiant in opposing the strengthening party.

“AfD is a right-wing extremist party. It wants to leave the euro; that would be economic downfall. … It works closely together with Russia, it wants a completely different social model,” Hoppermann said. “We will not work with them.”

The article says the AfD is pro-Russia. What does that mean; in what way? Does it support Russia versus Ukraine? Does it support the social conservatism of Russia? The answers seem to be yes and yes. See also this which emphasizes that support for the AfD is especially strong in the former East Germany, where the recent election occurred (the linked article is from 2024):

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is experiencing a significant and troubling surge in popularity, particularly in the eastern German states of Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg. These regions, which have long struggled with the economic and social fallout of reunification, are now emerging as strongholds for the far-right party. The AfD’s rise in these areas is fueled by a complex interplay of socio-economic grievances, disillusionment with the outcomes of reunification, and widespread opposition to national policies on immigration, climate change, and Germany’s military support for Ukraine. A particularly alarming aspect of the AfD’s platform is its overtly pro-Russian stance, which resonates strongly in parts of East Germany where scepticism towards the West and a nostalgic view of the Soviet era still linger. The party has consistently opposed sanctions against Russia, criticised Germany’s support for Ukraine, and echoed Kremlin narratives that place blame on NATO for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This alignment with Russian interests is not merely rhetorical but supported by tangible connections that have raised serious concerns both within Germany and internationally. Investigations have revealed financial ties between senior AfD figures and Russian operatives, along with communications suggesting coordinated efforts to undermine Germany’s stance on Ukraine. These connections suggest that the AfD’s pro-Russian orientation may be part of a broader strategy by Moscow to influence German politics and weaken European unity.

The party is anti-migration; which just seems sensible to me at this point for Germany. But the Russia connection gives me pause.