Following Friedrich Merz’s victory in the German elections, world leaders congratulated him while expressing concern over the far-right AfD’s ascent to 20.8% of the vote. European, U.S., and NATO leaders anticipate collaboration with the new government. Meanwhile, there are apprehensions highlighted by both right-leaning leaders and Jewish groups regarding the implications of the far-right’s growing electoral support, indicating a divided response to this political shift.
Global leaders have extended their congratulations to Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), following his electoral victory in Germany. Nonetheless, this triumph has been overshadowed by a significant rise in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which recorded its strongest performance to date with 20.8% of the votes, finishing second. Merz now has the complex task of forming a coalition government while addressing economic growth and geopolitical challenges.
Among the international reactions, European Council President Antonio Costa expressed hope to collaborate with Merz for a more prosperous and autonomous Europe. High Representative Kaja Kallas called for a prompt government formation, emphasizing the need for Germany to participate in crucial European decisions. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump praised the victory, claiming it reflected a shift against ineffective policies in Germany, similar to the sentiments in the U.S.
The Kremlin retained a cautious stance regarding the implications of Merz’ victory, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov advocating for a realistic approach in evaluating German-Russian relations. French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Merz, affirming Paris’ intent to work collaboratively with Germany to strengthen responses to contemporary global challenges. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment with expectations to bolster bilateral relations under Merz’ leadership.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the election results as a decisive choice by German voters, expressing readiness for cooperation in defense and industrial development amid the ongoing war with Russia. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte congratulated Merz and emphasized the importance of robust defense spending in the current security climate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated Merz, signaling intentions to deepen ties between the two nations.
Conversely, some leaders marked the rise of the AfD with concern. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated AfD Chancellor candidate Alice Weidel for increasing her party’s vote share. In Italy, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini remarked on the perceived demand for change signaled by the far-right’s electoral gains, while Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl expressed dismay about the weakening barriers against the AfD’s influence.
In light of the electoral outcomes, Jewish community leaders, including Josef Schuster, voiced alarm regarding the AfD’s significant advances, which they believe signal voter acceptance of right-wing extremism relative to past sentiments. Schuster’s reflections underline the urgent concern regarding the electoral viability of a party linked to extremist ideologies, calling for increased vigilance in the face of these developments.
The reactions from global leaders to Friedrich Merz’s electoral success in Germany highlight a mixture of congratulation and apprehension, particularly regarding the ascendance of the far-right AfD party. While many leaders, including those from the EU, the U.S., and Ukraine, express optimism about collaboration, others underline the potential implications of the far-right’s rise, prompting calls for vigilance within Germany and across Europe. These electoral results underscore a pivotal moment in German politics, one that could reshape Germany’s domestic and international landscape significantly.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
