World reacts to AfD victory in east Germany state election - Al Jazeera

**World Reacts to AfD Victory in East German State Election**

*Berlin –* The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) secured a historic win in the Saxony‑Anhalt state election, emerging as the largest party with 27 % of the vote. The result marks the first time the far‑right bloc has led a state government in the former East Germany, unsettling many domestic observers and prompting a flurry of diplomatic commentary. In Berlin, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition condemned the outcome as “a setback for liberal democracy,” while opposition parties from the centre‑left and centre‑right warned that the AfD’s ascendancy could destabilise regional policy‑making and strain Germany’s commitment to European integration.

Internationally, the victory sparked a mixed chorus of reactions. Moscow’s foreign ministry hailed the result as “a reflection of the growing demand for sovereignty and anti‑establishment politics in Europe,” while Beijing’s embassy in Berlin issued a neutral statement emphasizing respect for the German electorate’s choice. In the United States, the State Department issued a brief note urging “all German political actors to uphold democratic norms and ensure a stable coalition for governance.” Meanwhile, notable public figures entered the fray: AfD leader Alice Weidel publicly thanked tech billionaire Elon Musk for his platform’s role in amplifying the party’s message, and Russian media outlets celebrated the win as a “counter‑weight to Western liberalism.”

Inside Saxony‑Anhalt, the AfD’s regional chief, Martin Reichardt, called on the Christian Democratic Union, the Social Democrats and the Greens to “engage in constructive dialogue and consider coalition possibilities,” a move that has been met with staunch refusal from the established parties. Protest rallies erupted in several cities, with thousands gathering to voice concerns over the party’s nationalist rhetoric and its stance on immigration, LGBTQ+ rights and climate policy. Analysts from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs cautioned that the AfD’s rise could embolden extremist elements and complicate Germany’s support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict, while also highlighting the party’s strategic use of social‑media amplification and foreign praise to broaden its appeal.