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🇬🇷 Greece /Elections & Politics

Merz says support for Ukraine unchanged after AfD election victory

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany’s support for Ukraine would not change after the pro-Russian AfD won nearly 44% in elections in Saxony-Anhalt.
  • The AfD won 39 of the state parliament’s 83 seats, falling short of an outright majority and potentially needing support from individual conservative lawmakers.
  • The result could test traditional German parties’ refusal to cooperate with the AfD, a policy known as the “firewall.”

Friedrich Merz sought to draw a clear line between the AfD’s strong result in Saxony-Anhalt and Germany’s support for Ukraine. The chancellor said the federal government’s policy would remain unchanged, while warning of a “very specific threat” to domestic security.

Referring to Russia, Merz said, “2,500 kilometres east of here, some people are particularly pleased with this election result.” His remarks followed the AfD’s performance in the eastern German state, where the anti-immigration and pro-Russian party won almost 44% of the vote.

The result exposed deep unpopularity for Merz’s governing coalition and raised concern in neighbouring France and Poland. The AfD supports deporting migrants, ending German aid for Ukraine and restoring relations with Moscow.

Despite its result, the party did not win an absolute majority in the state parliament. It secured 39 of 83 seats and now hopes to attract individual conservative lawmakers. That prospect could test the long-standing refusal of Germany’s traditional parties, including Merz’s Christian Democrats, to work with the AfD.

The policy is known as the “firewall.” The AfD says it is undemocratic.

2,500 kilometres east of here, some people are particularly pleased with this election result.

· Friedrich MerzThe German chancellor referred to Russia while commenting on the AfD’s result in Saxony-Anhalt.
About this summary

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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