German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concern after the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party topped the polls for the first time in Thuringia and came second in Saxony.
The results for the AfD in Saxony and Thuringia are worrying. Our country cannot and must not get used to this. The AfD is damaging Germany. It is weakening the economy, dividing society and ruining our country’s reputation.
A year before Germany’s national elections, the results dealt a blow to Scholz’s fractured ruling coalition. He called the outcome “bitter” and called on the main parties to form governments without “right-wing extremists.”
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the first national-oriented party to win state legislative elections in Germany since World War II. However, other parties have so far refused to co-operate with the AfD to form a majority. The AfD may eventually win enough seats in both states to block decisions requiring a two-thirds majority, such as appointing judges or top security officials.
All three ruling parties lost votes, with only Scholz’s SPD struggling to break the 5% barrier needed to remain in the two states’ parliaments.
Sunday’s election results could also force the government to take a tougher stance on immigration and intensify the debate over support for Ukraine. The issues are of great concern to voters.
