European liberals, including Renew Europe president Valérie Hayer, have expressed concern over the results of the recent German state elections in Thuringia and Saxony. The far-right AfD made significant gains in both regions, with Hayer stating that a dark day for Germany is a dark day for Europe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned against collaborating with right-wing extremists, emphasizing the damage the AfD is causing to the country.
In Thuringia, the AfD became the first far-right party to win a regional election since WWII, while in Saxony, they were close to second place. The results have been described as a political earthquake by Bild newspaper. Coalition governments in Germany are the norm, and mainstream parties have always ruled out working with the far right.
The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) emphasized the significance of the election results and indicated a potential shift in direction at the federal level. Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz congratulated his party’s candidates on their success under challenging circumstances.
Analysts have highlighted the foreign policy implications of the elections, with potential divisions in the CDU over issues such as relations with Russia and Ukraine. The seat allocations in Thuringia and Saxony show the AfD making significant gains, raising concerns among liberals about the direction of German and European politics. The results have underscored the need for mainstream parties to address the rise of right-wing extremism in the country.
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