AfD Victory in Saxony-Anhalt Raises Concern in Paris

French government ministers warned on Monday about the implications of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) victory in Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt. The party won 39 of the 83 seats in the state parliament, falling just three short of an absolute majority.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure described the result as a very worrying signal. He said it showed that Europe faced a major challenge from a populist wave spreading around the world that must be resisted.

France’s European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad reacted similarly, describing the far right’s victory in the German regional election as an extremely serious moment for Europe.

Haddad said politicians must listen with humility to voters’ anger, fears and concerns and respond to them. But nationalism and xenophobia, he added, would never be the answer.

(Reuters, bak)