In a significant and historic victory, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has emerged triumphant in its first mayoral election in the city of Pirna, Saxony. Alice Weidel, leader of the AfD, described the result as "historic," signaling a potential shift in political dynamics ahead of key state and local elections.

The election saw Tim Lochner, a former carpenter, secure 38.5 percent of the votes after a run-off against two right-wing candidates on Sunday. While the AfD has previously won seats on local councils, it has faced repeated losses in mayoral elections in larger towns and cities. Therefore, the party's victory in Pirna is being seen as a significant milestone.

This win comes just days after the intelligence services in Saxony officially labeled the AfD as "extremist," due to its anti-migrant rhetoric and attempts to undermine democracy. Despite this classification, the party's popularity has been on the rise, with national polls indicating support at around 20 percent, and over 30 percent in the formerly communist east.

The victory in Pirna is seen as a bellwether for upcoming regional elections in three eastern states, including Saxony, which are scheduled for next September. While other parties have categorically stated their refusal to form coalitions with the AfD, a strong result could potentially put pressure on the conservative CDU party to cooperate with the far-right party.

The local councils elections, also slated for next year, are an integral part of the AfD's "normalization" strategy. By engaging at the grassroots level and cooperating with other parties, the AfD aims to shed any stigma associated with its extremist label and eventually form coalitions on both regional and national levels.

However, critics have expressed concern about the rise of the AfD, particularly its anti-migrant rhetoric. Christoph Heubner, from the International Auschwitz Committee, called it "difficult to bear" that Pirna was the first city in Germany to elect an AfD mayor. He criticized other parties for failing to unite in the run-off vote in order to prevent the far-right victory.

The mainstream politicians are now reflecting on the lessons learned from the Pirna election, as they grapple with how to address a popular and increasingly radical AfD. The party's growth has raised alarm bells, and its members have faced legal troubles, such as Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, a former AfD member of the Bundestag, who is currently on trial for alleged involvement in a far-right plot to overthrow German democracy.

Despite the controversies and intelligence services' classification, Mr. Lochner remains positive about his win and downplayed the impact of the "extremist" label. His victory signals the growing influence of the AfD, which will have repercussions not only in Pirna but also across the nation, as conservative and right-wing parties in Bavaria and Hesse anticipate significant gains in upcoming state elections.

The result in Pirna highlights the shifting political landscape in Germany and serves as a call to action for mainstream politicians to address the concerns and sentiments that have propelled the AfD to popularity. As the country moves forward, it remains to be seen how the political landscape will evolve and whether the AfD's rise can be contained or countered by other parties.