Regional elections in Germany cause European stir

The recent electoral success of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the German states of Thuringia and Saxony has sparked a range of reactions from politicians across the European Union.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS, ECR) stated that “The strengthening of radical and extreme political movements in Germany is not good for Germany, but neither is it good for us.”

He also linked the AfD’s success to the issue of uncontrolled illegal migration, which he called a growing concern across Europe.

“The problem must be tackled at European level. Faster asylum procedures outside the EU, a more effective return policy, stricter controls and more vigorous action against smugglers – there is no other way out of this situation.”, he declared on Monday.

In the small state of Thuringia, the far-right AfD (Europe of Sovereign Nations) topped the polls with 30.5% of the vote, while the centre-right CDU (EPP) won 24.5%, ahead of the new left-wing populist party BSW on 16%.

In Saxony, the CDU narrowly won with 31.5% of the vote, ahead of the AfD, which won 30%.

At the time of publication, Fiala is the only head of EU government that has directly commented on the issue.

Failures of the Left

French MEP Manon Aubry of La France Insoumise (The Left) said the AfD’s success, along with the strong showing of the far-left BSW party led by Sahra Wagenknecht, reflected a polarised political landscape in Germany and in Europe.

“The lesson from Europe – it’s true in Germany, but also in other countries – is that anytime the left is betraying its values, its ambitions, it is installing the far right [in power]”, she told Euractiv.

She emphasized the need for the left to remain steadfast in its principles to effectively counteract the far-right.

“I don’t think that giving up our values on migration is the way to face the extreme right,” Aubry said, alluding to Wagerknecht’s firm stance on immigration.

She also lamented the division within the left, symptomised by the rise of BSW.

“It shows the crisis of the left in Germany, but also in general”, she said.

According to her, this division could make it more challenging for traditional parties to govern effectively and counter the rise of more extreme political forces.

Rising Nationalism and the Decline of the Left

Several Italian politicians have hailed the AfD’s results as a sign of the decline of left-wing politics across Europe.

“We are facing the definitive decline of the left throughout Europe: European citizens want to defend their roots, protect their borders, maintain their identity,” said Roberto Vannacci, Lega (Patriots for Europe) MEP.

This sentiment was echoed by other Italian leaders, such as Lega senator Alessandro Morelli, who highlighted on X that these results should not be underestimated given their potential European repercussions.

Marco Rizzo, national coordinator of far left Italian party Democrazia Sovrana e Popolare, also celebrated the outcome, as he suggested that the rise of the AfD and similar movements in Europe reflects a desire to reclaim national sovereignty and move away from EU-centric policies.

“AfD wins, with over 33%. It is a party defined as pro-Russian and pro-Putin. The party of Sahra Wagenknecht, too, is well above 12/15 %. Her party, BSW, is pro-Russian, and wants closed borders and a renationalisation of policies now in the hands of the EU”, he said in a note.

The Impact on EU Politics

The reactions from EU politicians highlighted a broader concern about the stability and direction of European politics.

Czech MEP Ondřej Krutílek (ODS, ECR) remarked that the elections showed dissatisfaction with the current German government and forecasted long and challenging negotiations ahead.

His colleague, MEP Ondřej Dostál, warned that these results could foreshadow a similar shift across the EU.

“The debacle of the Scholz coalition parties, the rejection of government policy. The success of the AfD and the BSW of Sahra Wagenknecht. A cold shower for the progressives. A harbinger of things to come, not only in Germany, but also in the EU and here. It’s about time.”, he said on X on Monday.

Meanwhile, in Romania, MEP Siegfried Mureșan (EPP) expressed a need for a stronger centre-right government in Germany, stressing that the only traditional party to perform well was the CDU.

“It is crucial for the stability of Germany, and for the entire European Union, that next year’s federal elections are won by the CDU, and that Germany is led by a responsible centre-right government. This is the key to combating extremism in Germany,” he published on X.

As Germany prepares for its next federal election in just over a year’s time, the eyes of Europe will be on how these dynamics play out on the wider European stage.