Key facts
- The AfD won 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, securing 39 out of 83 seats.
- Elon Musk posted "Well done!" on X in response to the AfD's election result.
- AfD co-leader Alice Weidel received congratulations from figures like Matteo Salvini and Geert Wilders.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that "only idiots or traitors" in Poland would celebrate the AfD's win.
- French Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad described the result as "a grave moment in Europe."
Tech billionaire Elon Musk publicly celebrated the Alternative for Germany's (AfD) significant victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, a result that has sent shockwaves across Germany and Europe. Musk, who has supported the AfD for years, responded to co-leader Alice Weidel's acclamation of lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund with "Well done!" on X. Siegmund thanked Musk for his "support" and suggested future cooperation, stating Germany could become "a place worth investing in" under AfD governance.
The AfD secured 43.8 percent of the vote and 39 seats, marking its strongest-ever state election performance and bringing it closer to governing a German state than any far-right party since World War II. This success was met with exultation from allies across Europe, including Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl, and Spain's Vox leader Santiago Abascal, who viewed the result as a positive sign for Germany and Europe.
In contrast, mainstream centrist and left-wing politicians expressed alarm. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk strongly condemned the outcome, stating that "only idiots or traitors" in Poland would celebrate it. French Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad called it "a grave moment in Europe," warning against nationalism and xenophobia. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, attributed the "disaster" to the "blindness of Europe's centrist politicians."
The AfD's success also highlighted divisions within Italy's government, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani calling the result "extremely bad news," contrasting with coalition partner Salvini's congratulations. Notable figures like Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa had not publicly commented as of Monday morning.