State premier Kretschmer says CDU willing to govern again in Saxony

The premier and lead candidate of Germany's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) in the state of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, believes his party is capable of continuing to lead the state government, following regional elections on Sunday.

"It won't be easy," Kretschmer said at the CDU's election night party in Dresden, after initial projections from public broadcasters ARD and ZDF gave the CDU a razor-thin lead ahead of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

"But one thing is certain: with many discussions and the will to do something for this state, we can succeed in using this election result to give Saxony a stable government that serves the state and leads the way with humility," Kretschmer added.

He said that the CDU is ready to continue taking responsibility for the state.

Kretschmer's CDU has been governing in a coalition with the Greens and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) in Saxony.