BERLIN (Reuters) -- The Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged into first place in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, exit polls showed, putting a far-right party within reach of state-level power for the first time since World War II.While short of an overall majority, the AfD won 44% of the vote and delivered a drubbing to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives, reflecting the deep unpopularity of Germany's ruling coalition in a fracturing political landscape.The AfD is already Germany's most popular party at the national level and is seeking to secure a foothold for advancing its agenda, which includes heavy restrictions on...