Far-right AfD's victory in German state election sends shudders through Europe

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a historic victory in the German state election held on Sunday in Saxony-Anhalt, according to initial results. This marked the first time a far-right party has come close to power in Germany since the Second World War, causing alarm throughout Europe. The anti-migrant AfD party saw its support more than double and emerged as the leading party, with 44% of the votes counted, just three seats shy of an outright majority in the state legislature.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz now faces a significant challenge, as the AfD's success could shake the country's political establishment. The AfD is Germany's most popular party nationally and is pushing for policies such as stricter immigration controls, restoring ties with Russia, reducing support for Ukraine, and withdrawing from the euro.

European leaders have expressed concern over the AfD's success. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure called the outcome a "very worrying signal" and a sign of a global populist wave that needs to be resisted. French European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad described the AfD's victory as a "very grave moment for Europe" and urged a response to the concerns fueling the far-right party's appeal.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski deemed the result a "disturbing signal" and urged measures to prevent any populist and fanatical drift from spreading across Europe. Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Forza Italia leader Antonio Tajani characterized the outcome as "very bad news," condemning the AfD as antithetical to liberal and western values.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and League Party leader Matteo Salvini dismissed concerns, labeling them as "just democracy" and suggesting that a different Europe is possible. Despite the AfD's rise, mainstream parties will likely continue to govern together. The CDU secured 9.2% of the vote, the Greens 8.9%, and the Left party 8.6%.

A breakaway party, BSW, founded by former Left leader Sahra Wagenknecht, also passed the 5% threshold and is expected to secure seats. While far-right parties have gained ground across Europe, Germany's history of Nazism has made it more difficult for the AfD to form a coalition with extremist groups.