Merz to respond as Germany’s far-right AfD wins key state election – Europe live

Morning opening: What now after AfD's election triumph?Jakub KrupaEurope wakes up this morning to final results of the Saxony-Anhalt state election in Germany, with the far-right Alternative für Deutschland confirmed as the winners – but without a majority in the state parliament.AfD leaders Ulrich Siegmund, Tino Chrupalla, and Alice Weidel, on stage at AfD election party for the 2026 state election under a slogan “It begins here.” Photograph: dts News Agency Germany/ShutterstockCue chaotic discussions about what’s next, including theoretical scenarios with defections, a minority government backed on issue-by-issue basis by the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or even… a snap election to resolve the deadlock.We are expecting to hear from the embattled German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, around lunchtime. With German media running grainy pictures of Merz looking glumly on the backseat of his car, it is probably fair to say that the pressure on him will only increase.There are also lots of political reactions from across Europe, with no doubt more to come.I will bring you all the latest here.Separately, I will keep an eye on Ursula von der Leyen’s trip to Greenland amid renewed US interest in the territory, and on the funeral of Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladić.It’s Friday, 4 September 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.Good morning.Key events4m agoItalian government split in reactions to AfD's win9m agoEuropean leaders concerned about AfD win16m agoRussian presidential aide praises 'historic' win for 'pragmatic' pro-Russian AfD22m agoAfD state leader thanks Elon Musk for support after Saxony-Anhalt win28m agoMorning opening: What now after AfD's election triumph?Italian government split in reactions to AfD's winItaly’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani called the election result “terrible news … because it concerns a political force that is antithetical to the liberal and western values,” Corriere della Sera reported.But Italy’s deputy prime minister in the same government Matteo Salvini was delighted with the outcome of the vote, calling it “a resounding success that highlights the strong demand for change, security, and jobs.” “In the face of those on the left who stoked fears and catastrophic scenarios. Fear? Terror? Danger? No, it’s called DEMOCRACY. Another Europe is possible.” For what it’s worth, Giorgia Meloni has yet to respond to the election result.European leaders concerned about AfD winWe are also getting first reactions from European ministers.Donald Tusk, the prime minister of Poland, said: “In Poland, only idiots or traitors can rejoice at the triumph of the AfD in Germany.” Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski called the AfD’s win “a very worrying” signal for Europe.France’s Europe minister, Benjamin Haddad, described the win as “a serious moment in Europe”, warning that “nationalism and xenophobia will never be a solution”.“We must listen with humility to the anger, the concerns, the fears, and respond to them,” he added. “We cannot forget our history. That is the meaning behind the choices made by France and Germany.”French finance minister Roland Lescure joined in his warnings, saying Europe faced “a major challenge in the face of a populist wave” across the continent.But former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán celebrated AfD’s win, saying it was “a huge night for Germany and Europe!” “Buckle up. This is just the beginning!” Russian presidential aide praises 'historic' win for 'pragmatic' pro-Russian AfDRussian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev took a screen grab of US president Donald Trump’s post on Saxony-Anhalt and praised a “historic win for the pragmatic AfD”.AfD is pro-Kremlin, urging a stop to support for Ukraine and pushing for Ukrainians to no longer receive refugee status.AfD state leader thanks Elon Musk for support after Saxony-Anhalt winOn Sunday night, Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s lead candidate, thanked Musk on X “for your support and for your clear and highly important perspective on the political developments of our time”, adding: “I would very much welcome the opportunity for strong and constructive cooperation”.Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany party (AfD), speaks as SpaceX CEO Elon Musk appears on screen during a central election campaign event of the AfD in Halle (Saale), Germany in January last year. Photograph: Karina Hessland/ReutersSiegmund wrote his comments after Musk said “Well done!” in German to AfD co-founder Alice Weidel, when she posted about the projected win.Morning opening: What now after AfD's election triumph?Jakub KrupaEurope wakes up this morning to final results of the Saxony-Anhalt state election in Germany, with the far-right Alternative für Deutschland confirmed as the winners – but without a majority in the state parliament.AfD leaders Ulrich Siegmund, Tino Chrupalla, and Alice Weidel, on stage at AfD election party for the 2026 state election under a slogan “It begins here.” Photograph: dts News Agency Germany/ShutterstockCue chaotic discussions about what’s next, including theoretical scenarios with defections, a minority government backed on issue-by-issue basis by the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or even… a snap election to resolve the deadlock.We are expecting to hear from the embattled German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, around lunchtime. With German media running grainy pictures of Merz looking glumly on the backseat of his car, it is probably fair to say that the pressure on him will only increase.There are also lots of political reactions from across Europe, with no doubt more to come.I will bring you all the latest here.Separately, I will keep an eye on Ursula von der Leyen’s trip to Greenland amid renewed US interest in the territory, and on the funeral of Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladić.It’s Friday, 4 September 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.Good morning.