World reacts to AfD victory in east Germany state election

By Al Jazeera Staff. Published On 7 Sep 20267 Sep 2026.

Key points

• "Congratulations, Alice Weidel and Ulrich Siegmund, on this spectacular result, which represents great hope for Germany and Europe, " Abascal wrote on X.
• France's European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad remarked the results mark "a very grave moment for Europe" and that "nationalism and xenophobia will never be the answer".
• According to Ex-Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the win "a huge night for Germany and Europe, " and, "this is just the beginning".
• The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has won the regional election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, according to preliminary results.
• AfD is due to secure 39 seats at the state parliament in Magdeburg, just short of the 42 seats needed for a majority.

Notably, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has won the regional election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, according to preliminary results.

In practice, the results drew a mixed response worldwide, with far-right parties welcoming the news and some governments raising warnings. Here's how the world reacted to the news.

Lescure informed RTL radio on Monday that the victory of AfD sends a "very, very worrying signal" to Europe.

He remarked the continent is facing "a major challenge in the face of a populist wave". It he states is "spreading around the world today" and that "we must resist ".

France's European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad remarked 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 continued. Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain's far-right Vox party.

"Congratulations, Alice Weidel and Ulrich Siegmund, on this spectacular result, which represents great hope for Germany and Europe, " Abascal wrote on X. While Siegmund is the AfD's lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, weidel is the AfD's co-leader. Andr Ventura, leader of Portugal's far-right Chega party. Andr Ventura described the result as an "historic victory".

"Germans are additionally increasingly opening their eyes to illegal and uncontrolled immigration, corruption and the appropriation of our freedom and identity. Congratulations!" he wrote on X. Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

Sikorski remarked the fact that the far-right party narrowly missed a majority was an alarming sign.

"It seems they're just a few votes short of an absolute majority, but this is indeed a very worrying sign, " he informed Radio ⁠Vox FM.

Businessman Elon Musk welcomed the results in an official note on X, simply stating "Gut gemacht!" which translates to "well done" in German.

Siegmund proceeded to personally thank Musk on X for his "support" and "clear and highly important perspective" on the "political developments of our time". Former Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

According to Ex-Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the win "a huge night for Germany and Europe, " and, "this is just the beginning". Former US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell.

Grenell described the victory as "a huge win and a new day for Germany", in an official note on X. According to He additionally, "people are ready for change". Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

Dmitriev remarked Siegmund was the "voice of reason" in a post on X.

Taken together, the developments around world reacts to AfD victory in east Germany state election point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.