The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party in Germany has expressed gratitude to Elon Musk following its significant victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election. Lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund stated his desire for a stronger relationship with Musk, who had previously congratulated the party on social media. The AfD more than doubled its support in the region, achieving 43.8% of the vote, but fell short of an absolute majority in the state legislature, securing 39 seats out of 83. The party's success marks a potential shift in German politics, as it seeks to become the first far-right party to gain power at the state level since World War II.
Despite the victory, the AfD is facing challenges in forming a government, as mainstream parties have refused to cooperate with them. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) received 17.2% of the vote, while the Social Democrats, Greens, and Left party garnered 9.3%, 8.9%, and 8.6% respectively. French Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad described the election outcome as a "serious moment in Europe," emphasizing the need to address the underlying concerns that led to the AfD's rise. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized the AfD's success, stating that only "idiots or traitors" could celebrate it. The German Economic Institute has warned of potential negative impacts on the economy due to the AfD's immigration policies, which critics argue could harm the state's labor market reliant on foreign workers. The AfD has dismissed concerns about its ties to Russia and has proposed reforms to the domestic intelligence service, claiming it is biased.