Merz to respond as Germany’s far-right AfD wins key state election – Europe live
The far-right AfD party's success in a German state election has drawn sharp criticism from European leaders, including Poland's prime minister and French officials. While some view the result as a dangerous rise of nationalism, Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán has publicly celebrated the outcome.
Why it matters
The electoral success of a far-right party in Germany signals a significant shift in European political sentiment and challenges the current consensus among EU leaders.
We are also getting first reactions from European ministers.
Donald Tusk, the prime minister of Poland, said:
“In Poland, only idiots or traitors can rejoice at the triumph of the AfD in Germany.”
Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski called the AfD’s win “a very worrying” signal for Europe.
France’s Europe minister, Benjamin Haddad, described the win as “a serious moment in Europe” , warning that “nationalism and xenophobia will never be a solution”.
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