Far-right landslide win in German polls echoes Nazi-era breakthrough, rattles European leaders

“A black day for European democracy”.

That was the stark verdict from Cas Mudde, author of “The Far Right Today” and professor of international affairs at the University of Georgia, following the landslide victory of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt.

The result, which marked the strongest showing by a far-right party in a German state election since the Nazi era, has sent alarm bells ringing across Europe, with leaders warning that the breakthrough could signal a wider resurgence of the far-right.

In an opinion piece published in the Guardian, Mudde warned that the result could foreshadow similar breakthroughs elsewhere in Europe, including France, which faces elections next year.

“No country is immune from the far-right and, perhaps even more worryingly, no far-right party or politician is too extreme for political success (as the US has shown). We must therefore update our analyses and strategies,” he added.

The anti-migration, pro-Kremlin AfD secured 44 percent of the vote, falling just short of the 42 seats needed for an outright majority in the 83-seat state parliament.

It nevertheless won 39 seats, leaving the party within striking distance of controlling the state government and marking its most significant electoral breakthrough in Germany since the collapse of Nazi rule.

No far-right party has governed a German state since World War Two. A breakthrough in Saxony-Anhalt would give the AfD significant influence over areas including policing, education and culture.

The result also dealt a heavy blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (above) and his centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which secured just 17.2 percent of the vote.

‘Deeply shocking’

Merz described the outcome as “deeply shocking” and “the most serious election defeat that the CDU has had for years, for decades”.

But despite the setback, he signalled that he had no intention of stepping aside, saying that “giving up is not an option for me".

The repercussions were felt well beyond Germany, with European leaders voicing concern over what they see as a growing populist and far-right challenge across the continent.

In France, Al Jazeera quoted Finance Minister Roland Lescure as telling RTL that the AfD victory sends a “very, very worrying signal” to Europe.

He said the continent is facing “a major challenge in the face of a populist wave”, which he says is “spreading around the world today” and that “we must resist [it]”.

France’s European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad said the results mark “a very grave moment for Europe” and that “nationalism and xenophobia will never be the answer”.

“We cannot forget our history,” he added.

Polish PM’s blunt criticism

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was even more blunt, remarking on X: “In Poland, only idiots or traitors could rejoice the AfD triumph in Germany.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, meanwhile, said the “far-right threat” is spreading in Europe and that the German state election result is a “warning” of a bigger political shift.

“What we saw yesterday in Saxony is a warning, and I think also a confirmation: a warning that the far-right threat, thanks largely to the surrender of the traditional right, is gaining ground in Europe and the world,” he said.

But far-right figures were quick to celebrate what they described as a “historic win”.

The AfD also received a pat on the back from the world’s richest person, Elon Musk (above), who stated “Gut gemacht!” - German for “well done” - on X.

In response, AfD’s Ulrich Siegmund thanked Musk for his support and “clear and highly important perspective on the political developments of our time - including here in Germany”.

“If we take responsibility here, I would very much welcome the opportunity for strong and constructive cooperation. Germany would once again be a place worth investing in,” he added.

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