AfD victory shakes Germany: Merz warns of consequences for Ukraine and West
Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Getty Images)
The victory of the far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt has become a major shock for Germany and could affect support for Ukraine and Western policy, according to remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a press conference.
Merz reacted to the victory of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. According to him, the election results will have consequences not only for the region but also for Germany as a whole and the broader international situation.
"We are all deeply shocked. We did not expect such a turn of events. Since yesterday, something has changed not only in Saxony-Anhalt but throughout Germany. And this election result will have consequences. It will also affect the international situation," Merz said.
Why Merz brought up Russia and support for Ukraine
The chancellor said the election result in Saxony-Anhalt could be welcomed by Russia. He also stated that the Kremlin is trying to influence election outcomes in Germany.
Merz stressed that he has no intention of backing away from his position on the need to counter Russian influence and support Ukraine.
"I will not move a millimeter from my firm conviction that we must defend our freedom from Russia, especially now. And if we stop supporting Ukraine, the situation will not improve tomorrow. It will become even worse," the chancellor emphasized.
According to Merz, the goal of Russia's leadership is to destabilize the West's system of values. He stressed that these values are not up for debate.
Merz calls CDU defeat the party's worst in decades
The chancellor also commented on the result of his Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He said the AfD "calls Germany's democratic institutions and rules into question," making it impossible to ignore the election outcome.
"This affects all of us — and me personally as well. And I have to admit: this is the most serious electoral defeat the CDU has suffered in recent years, indeed in recent decades. All of this will, of course, have consequences," Merz added.
At the same time, he said that the CDU and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) must not allow right-wing populism to gain further strength.
According to Merz, the governing coalition needs to do a better job of explaining its reforms to citizens and more convincingly communicating the reasons behind its decisions.
Earlier, former Ukrainian consul in Munich and Chancellor of the Ukrainian Free University Dmytro Shevchenko said that an AfD victory in local elections could eventually affect support for Ukraine and Ukrainians living in Germany.
At the same time, he stressed that such issues are not decided at the state level and that early federal elections in Germany remain unlikely.
