Dutch prime minister sees German far-right victory as a ‘wake-up call’

The Alternative for Germany’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt has prompted a warning from Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who described the result as a “wake-up call” and said the strength of a party with extreme and pro-Russian positions was concerning.

“The German voter is, of course, always right, including in German elections,” Jetten said during a working visit to the Dutch province of Zeeland, according to the national news agency ANP. “At the same time, it is concerning that a party with extreme positions, including pro-Russian positions, achieved such a good result.”

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The German voter is, of course, always right, including in German elections. At the same time, it is concerning that a party with extreme positions, including pro-Russian positions, achieved such a good result.

Jetten, who leads the social-liberal D66 party, said German politicians and public officials now had to study the result. “What lessons can be learned from this, and how can things be done better, including for the German voter?” he asked.

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What lessons can be learned from this, and how can things be done better, including for the German voter?

AfD secured 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, well ahead of the Christian Democratic Union, the party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which won 17.2%. The Social Democratic Party received 9.3%, the Greens 8.9%, the Left 8.6% and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance 5.3%. AfD regional leader Ulrich Siegmund still fell three seats short of the majority needed to govern alone.

The Dutch prime minister’s reaction followed concern expressed in other European countries. In the Netherlands, the far right also performed strongly in last year’s general election. Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom tied with Jetten’s D66 at 26 seats, while D66 narrowly led in votes. Wilders’ party had won 37 seats in 2023, but lost 11 in the later election. Viktor Orbán took the opposite view, calling it “a great night for Germany and Europe” and congratulating AfD.

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A great night for Germany and Europe.