Saxony-Anhalt is one of Germany's smaller federal states.
But when the AfD - whose local branch in the state is classified as far-right by the German security service - more than doubles its support and becomes by far the largest party, it sends shockwaves through national politics.
It gives the AfD further legitimacy, and shows that they are a powerful factor in German politics, a party to be reckoned with, says Ann-Kristin Kölln, professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg.
The electoral success could be a step towards the party starting to normalise in broader circles.
The more voters see a party being normalised by others, the more they begin to perceive it as normal. Although it is a process that of course happens gradually.
Lack of majority
It is still not impossible that the AfD will win its own majority when the official results are announced. The left-wing conservative BSW is getting 5.0 percent in the exit poll - and is therefore right on the threshold.
If they end up outside the state parliament, there will be fewer parties sharing the seats, which could mean that the AfD will receive the most mandates.
The next few hours (before the official result) will be very exciting, says Ann-Kristin Kölln.
If the AfD does not get its own majority, a very unclear situation will follow in the formation of a new state government. All traditional parties have seen it as unthinkable to cooperate with a far-right party.
But even if all of them were to join forces in a coalition - which is unlikely in itself as the Christian Democratic CDU has so far refused to cooperate with the left-wing party Die Linke - there would be no majority, according to the exit poll.
Is the firewall holding?
It would be sensational for the CDU, which will become the second largest party, to blow up the so-called "firewall" against the far right and enter into a coalition with the AfD.
I think that is completely unthinkable at the moment, says Ann-Kristin Kölln.
However, there is a possible, albeit small, opening for a coalition with AfD and BSW.
BSW has not ruled out cooperation with AfD, and in terms of programmes there are certain similarities between the parties, says Ann-Kristin Kölln.
Even though the far right's successes have a great symbolic impact outside Saxony-Anhalt, the traditional parties nationally are not about to let the AfD into the fold, believes Ann-Kristin Kölln.
The discourse has not gone that far in Germany, for historical reasons.
