AfD's East Germany win draws sharp European reaction
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, securing 39 of 42 seats needed for a majority, according to preliminary results. The outcome drew international reactions, with French officials calling it a grave warning for European unity. France’s European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad said the result marks "a very grave moment for Europe," adding that "nationalism and xenophobia will never be the answer." Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski called the near-majority "a very worrying sign," while far-right leaders in Spain and Portugal celebrated the outcome. Other figures, including Elon Musk and former US Ambassador Richard Grenell, praised the result, with Grenell calling it "a new day for Germany." Russian investment fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev described AfD’s lead candidate as a "voice of reason," while ex-Hungarian PM Viktor Orban said "this is just the beginning."