The Party of European Socialists has warned that Europe “cannot afford to normalise the far right” after Alternative for Germany secured a historic victory in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt.
The AfD won around 44% of the vote in Sunday’s election, more than doubling its 2021 share and becoming the largest party in the state. The result represents the strongest performance by the far right in a German state election in the post-war era.
The party fell short of an outright majority, winning 39 of the state parliament’s 83 seats, but the result has nevertheless sent shockwaves through German and European politics. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU suffered a major defeat, while mainstream parties have so far maintained their refusal to cooperate with the AfD.
Responding to the result, the Party of European Socialists said:
“Europe cannot afford to normalise the far-right.”
The organisation described the Saxony-Anhalt result as another warning that far-right parties are gaining ground across Europe and moving closer to power.
Hope over fear
The PES said social democrats must respond not simply by opposing the far right, but by offering practical answers to the economic and social pressures driving political discontent.
It argued that the answer must include decent jobs, affordable housing, action on living costs, strong public services and safer communities.
The group also stressed the importance of defending equal rights and social cohesion, saying social democrats should stand with people targeted because of their background, identity or whom they love.
Its message concluded:
“We choose hope over fear. Together, we will defend a society in which everyone belongs.”
AfD result poses major challenge
The scale of the AfD victory has intensified debate about the future direction of German politics.
The party campaigned heavily on immigration, opposition to Germany’s support for Ukraine, closer relations with Russia and Eurosceptic policies. Germany’s domestic intelligence authorities have classified the AfD organisation in Saxony-Anhalt as right-wing extremist.
Despite winning the election by a wide margin, the AfD does not currently have enough seats to govern alone and faces considerable difficulty finding coalition partners.
Merz has reiterated that his conservatives will not enter an alliance with the party, although the result has triggered renewed debate within Germany’s centre-right about how to respond to the AfD’s growing electoral strength.
Warning for social democrats across Europe
The result will also be closely studied by Labour and other centre-left parties across Europe.
Economic insecurity, the cost of living, migration and public dissatisfaction with established political institutions have all contributed to changing voting patterns across the continent.
The PES response argues that progressive parties must resist adopting far-right framing while simultaneously addressing the genuine concerns that have allowed populist parties to grow.
That means, it says, combining a clear defence of equality and democratic values with an economic offer capable of improving people’s everyday lives.
The result in Saxony-Anhalt is therefore likely to be seen as more than a German political story.
For Europe’s social democratic movement, it is another reminder that defeating the far right will require both a firm defence of democratic values and a credible programme capable of delivering jobs, affordable homes, better public services and economic security.
