World reacts to AfD victory in east Germany state election

What the report says

France’s reaction to the Alternative for Germany’s election result in Saxony-Anhalt was sharply critical, with French officials warning that the far-right party’s success signals a worrying rise in nationalism across Europe. According to Al Jazeera’s report, the AfD won the regional vote in the eastern German state and was projected to take 39 seats in the Magdeburg parliament, leaving it short of the 42 needed for a majority.

French European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad said the result was a very grave moment for Europe and argued that nationalism and xenophobia are not a solution. Another French official, Lescure, described the outcome as a serious warning for the continent and linked it to a broader populist trend. Their comments framed the vote as more than a local German development, suggesting it could have implications for European politics and unity.

The Al Jazeera article said reactions elsewhere were mixed. Far-right politicians in Spain and Portugal praised the result, while Poland’s foreign minister called the near-majority outcome concerning. Public figures including Elon Musk and former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban also welcomed the AfD’s performance, reflecting how the election resonated beyond Germany.

The vote matters because Saxony-Anhalt is another test of the AfD’s growing strength in eastern Germany, where the party has been expanding its support. The result also renewed debate over whether the party could eventually help form a state government, a prospect that would be highly significant in postwar German politics.