‘Morning Joe’ Warns Europe’s Political Center Has Been ‘Hollowed Out’ as Far-Right Rises in Germany

The hosts of "Morning Joe" on MS NOW expressed alarm over the growing influence of far-right political parties in Europe, particularly in Germany. Following the recent regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party secured over 40% of the vote, concerns have escalated. This marks the first time a far-right party has won a state election in Germany since the end of World War II, sparking worry among analysts both domestically and internationally.

Thousands of Germans staged peaceful protests in response to these results, with the potential for even more AfD victories looming as upcoming elections approach.

Joe Scarborough, a co-host of "Morning Joe," highlighted that the political center in Europe has been "hollowed out" due to issues surrounding immigration and the economy. He attributed this to the failure of European leaders to implement reasonable immigration policies, arguing that either the center needed to address the crisis or right-wing extremists would gain prominence.

Scarborough recalled the controversy surrounding Angela Merkel's decision to admit hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in 2015, a move that was widely criticized at the time but is now seen as a precursor to the current political landscape. He pointed out that the AfD's surge can be linked to both the economic downturn Germany has experienced and the scapegoating of immigrants for Germany's struggles, including the deindustrialization, advances in technology, and robotics.

Scarborough emphasized that European leaders must redefine their approach to economic growth, as they have faltered in recent years. Ultimately, the "Morning Joe" host concluded that the rise of far-right parties in Europe is a reflection of broader economic challenges and the growing discontent of citizens seeking answers, often pointing fingers at immigrants in the process.