Tech billionaire Elon Musk has welcomed the success of the right-wing AfD party in Sunday’s election in Saxony-Anhalt. The result has triggered a wave of reactions across the political establishment in Germany and throughout Europe, marking the party’s strongest performance in a state election and bringing it closer to governing a German state than any other far-right force since World War II.
Elon Musk posted “Well done!” on X in response to a congratulatory message from Alternative for Germany co-chair Alice Weidel to lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund. In turn, Ulrich Siegmund thanked the billionaire for his “support” and suggested the possibility of future cooperation, stating that Germany could once again become “a place worth investing in” if the party comes to power in Saxony-Anhalt. Elon Musk has supported the AfD for several years, including during the campaign for the 2025 federal election.
International political reaction
The AfD received 43.8% of the vote and 39 out of 83 seats, falling three mandates short of an absolute majority. United States President Donald Trump, who has a strained relationship with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and publicly criticized him in the spring over Berlin‘s position on Iran, posted a screenshot of the results on Truth Social without comment. Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini congratulated Alice Weidel, stating: “A different Europe is possible.” Leader of the Austrian far-right Herbert Kickl noted that voters had shattered the political “firewall” around the AfD, while leader of the Spanish Vox Santiago Abascal called the result “a great hope for Germany and Europe.” Leader of Reform UK Rupert Lowe called the party “an inspiration,” and Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders also welcomed the results. As of Monday morning, Nigel Farage, Marine Le Pen, and Jordan Bardella had not commented on the event.
Centrist and left-wing forces have expressed concern. Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote that only “idiots or traitors” could celebrate this result. France Minister for Europe Benjamin Haddad called it “a difficult moment for Europe,” warning that “nationalism and xenophobia will never be the solution.” Leader of La France Insoumise Jean-Luc Mélenchon called the AfD‘s resurgence “a catastrophic demonstration of the blindness of European centrist politicians.” A split has emerged within Giorgia Meloni‘s coalition in Rome: Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called the result “extremely bad news,” contradicting the position of his partner Matteo Salvini. As of Monday morning, Giorgia Meloni, Emmanuel Macron, Pedro Sánchez, as well as EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa had not spoken publicly.
Source: Politico
