Merz says ‘shock’ AfD victory in key German state ‘is an election result we cannot simply move past’ – Europe live

<div class=\"atom svelte-b23726\"></div></div>\n"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788775067000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"05.57 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788775095000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"05.58 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788775095000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"05.58 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"05.58","title":"Saxony-Anhalt election results - in full","contributors":[{"name":"Seán Clarke"}],"primaryDateLine":"Mon 7 Sep 2026 08.03 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 7 Sep 2026 03.37 EDT"},{"id":"6a9e83f58f08468201fe6619","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><em>in Rome</em></p>","elementId":"4547d59e-ac31-47b0-aa37-fe86e9d17882"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>All of Italy’s daily newspapers have led with AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt, with La Repubblica’s headline describing it as “the darkness above Berlin”.</strong></p>","elementId":"affec71f-9832-4df1-a1a9-eb71043ff703"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>The political reaction exposes the divisions in <strong>Giorgia Meloni’s</strong> ruling coalition. <strong>Matteo Salvini,</strong> leader of the far-right League, said the victory was “remarkable for the AdD” and reportedly sent a message of congratulations to its leader, <strong>Alice Wiedel.</strong></p>","elementId":"d3d01169-8e1d-4c1e-9cae-4c882816263f"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>Antonio Tajani,</strong> who leads the centre-right Forza Italia, said the victory was “bad news” while Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party has neofascist roots, has not said anything publicly.</p>","elementId":"bab796a2-2710-4350-a10e-f2e0adb99b7e"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Some <strong>reports suggest her views align more with Tajani,</strong> in that the election result is not something to celebrate but should be a warning that the EU must be more effective in its response to the concerns of citizens.</p>","elementId":"3f45e6e1-3af5-4320-ac7c-8809025d2a4b"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Opposition politicians say the rise of the extreme right is <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/europe-news\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Europe</a> is worrying while <strong>Roberto Vannacci</strong>, who in Italy is hoovering up support on the far-right – posing a serious dilemma for the government as it seeks a second mandate in general elections next year – welcomes the victory.</p>","elementId":"03fc897c-5398-491f-96cb-26cc07f304ce"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788773365000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"05.29 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788773436000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"05.30 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788773436000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"05.30 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"05.30","title":"Italian press write about 'darkness above Berlin' after AfD's state election win","contributors":[{"name":"Angela Giuffrida","imageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/07/10/Angela_Giuffrida.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=5156b60c8a7a17ac1715b3466c4b3add","largeImageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/07/10/Angela_Giuffrida.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=ec847e5d7be776ddb79f58a243c22a4d"}],"primaryDateLine":"Mon 7 Sep 2026 08.03 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 7 Sep 2026 03.37 EDT"},{"id":"6a9e82298f08468201fe6613","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Meanwhile, Bild newspaper is <a href=\"https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/wahl-in-sachsen-anhalt-cdu-und-spd-starten-krisensitzungen-6a9e49d5181cb962d4886300?t_ref=https%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F\">reporting</a> that <strong>chancellor Friedrich Merz has called crisis talks within his CDU party this morning</strong> to discuss his response to last night’s result.</p>","elementId":"ef5e08a3-fe89-4bdc-9594-cd81f962c598"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>“Merz is under massive pressure,” the paper notes.</p>","elementId":"1ad8aac0-a54b-481e-9c1a-d6faa006c008"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>He is <strong>expected to speak to the media around 1.30pm local time</strong> (12:30 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airport","elementId":"71367b4d-3bb8-44c0-b0c7-9c115b445346","role":"thumbnail","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/01/germany-blames-russia-drone-attack-leipzig-airport"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Dobrindt’s warning comes after ​the ​far-right AfD, which ​has been pushing ​for ‌restoring ties ​with Russia, ​won state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday.</p>","elementId":"f87e0cc4-5bb6-4e05-ad49-fa8ec8215fdc"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788772079000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"05.07 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788772147000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"05.09 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788772133000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"05.08 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"05.08","title":"German freedom undermined by Russian drones, Moscow-friendly lawmakers, minister warns","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Mon 7 Sep 2026 08.03 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on 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shifts to the 2027 French presidential elections</strong>, and <strong>key parliamentary races in</strong> <strong>France</strong>, <strong>Italy</strong>, <strong>Spain</strong>, <strong>Greece</strong> and <strong>Poland</strong> next year.</p>","elementId":"1ebec6d2-dbcc-4aa1-96c3-6551cc522428"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>As Viktor Orbán said (<a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/sep/07/germany-afd-saxony-anhalt-merz-greenland-ratko-mladic-europe-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6a9e6cd58f0865844a4bf298#block-6a9e6cd58f0865844a4bf298\">9:57</a>), “buckle up.”</p>","elementId":"2c965d85-e1dd-4764-883f-972031973350"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788768300000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"04.05 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788768487000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"04.08 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788768487000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"04.08 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"04.08","title":"AfD's gain in Germany will be seen as a worrying sign ahead of 2027 election marathon - snap analysis","contributors":[{"name":"Jakub Krupa","imageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/01/22/Jakub_Krupa.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=41cc9981ec7b067e2d3b5391c5a68a4f","largeImageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/01/22/Jakub_Krupa.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=4a039a2b765744058f3c2c677268513e"}],"primaryDateLine":"Mon 7 Sep 2026 08.03 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 7 Sep 2026 03.37 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Fear? Terror? Danger? No, it’s called DEMOCRACY. Another Europe is possible.”</em></p>\n</blockquote>","elementId":"2e8ace8d-f75d-4e5b-a132-8aa3e1695f8d"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>For what it’s worth, <strong>Giorgia Meloni</strong> has yet to respond to the election result.</p>","elementId":"23fb9849-4af2-4637-95be-b6737b98f7bf"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788767927000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"03.58 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788768124000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"04.02 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788768124000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"04.02 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"04.02","title":"Italian government split in reactions to AfD's win","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Mon 7 Sep 2026 08.03 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 7 Sep 2026 03.37 EDT"},{"id":"6a9e6cd58f0865844a4bf298","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>We are also getting <strong>first reactions from European ministers.</strong></p>","elementId":"85e57df7-32c0-4f84-b98a-265d21df21ca"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>Donald Tusk,</strong> the prime minister of Poland, said:</p>","elementId":"738b7a7b-007f-49e6-a378-33b0011db264"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"<blockquote>\n <p><em>“In Poland, <strong>only idiots or traitors can rejoice at the triumph of the AfD</strong> in Germany.”</em></p>\n</blockquote>","elementId":"f02f1b21-e54a-489a-8374-32d8a899571a"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Poland’s foreign minister <strong>Radosław Sikorski</strong> called the AfD’s win “a very worrying” signal for Europe.</p>","elementId":"a2a47816-a05d-40aa-af80-d13480d14827"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>France’s Europe minister, Benjamin Haddad, described the win as “a serious moment in Europe”</strong>, warning that “nationalism and xenophobia will never be a solution”.</p>","elementId":"925cfda2-e12e-4674-ab4c-65ba16bef6ce"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>“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 <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/germany\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Germany</a>.”</p>","elementId":"3fcc46ec-73df-4cb5-91d8-5af8d08bb558"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>French finance minister <strong>Roland Lescure</strong> joined in his warnings, saying Europe faced “a major challenge in the face of a populist wave” across the continent.</p>","elementId":"aab23ca7-9f7c-4395-9965-2b114fcc3055"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>But <strong>former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán celebrated AfD’s win, </strong>saying it was “a huge night for Germany and Europe!”</p>","elementId":"d91a9949-f0d9-414b-b989-ada8aac5819c"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"<blockquote>\n <p><em>“Buckle up. <strong>This is just the beginning!</strong>”</em></p>\n</blockquote>","elementId":"9b63c2d6-fa05-4090-9089-1f9a77e6f611"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788767445000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"03.50 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788767824000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"03.57 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788767824000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"03.57 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"03.57","title":"European leaders concerned about AfD win","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Mon 7 Sep 2026 08.03 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 7 Sep 2026 03.37 EDT"},{"id":"6a9e6c5d8f08fe90df703d73","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>Russian presidential envoy</strong> <strong>Kirill Dmitriev</strong> took a screen grab of US president Donald Trump’s post on Saxony-Anhalt and <strong>praised a “historic win for the pragmatic 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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.”","caption":"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.”","credit":"Photograph: dts News Agency Germany/Shutterstock"}},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Cue chaotic discussions about what’s next, including theoretical scenarios with defections, a minority government backed on issue-by-issue basis by the far-left <strong>Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance,</strong> or even… a snap election to resolve the deadlock.</p>","elementId":"1f518cc3-5989-403f-8f44-8105934d3a49"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement","prefix":"Related: ","text":"Far-right AfD wins key German state election but falls just short of majority","elementId":"a9974be5-a812-49ef-a2b1-3c7097b65001","role":"thumbnail","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/06/saxony-anhalt-germany-afd-exit-poll-ulrich-siegmund?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>We are</strong> <strong>expecting to hear from the embattled German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, around lunchtime.</strong> 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.</p>","elementId":"2caf37c8-3952-489e-8065-5d2a5bc58a36"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>There are also <strong>lots of political reactions from across Europe</strong>, with no doubt more to come.</p>","elementId":"c8d5df95-b221-4894-b9c7-38a2fa5d0262"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>I will bring you all the latest here.</p>","elementId":"d25e424d-67e1-4397-95bf-894230cb0780"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Separately, <strong>I will keep an eye on Ursula von der Leyen’s trip to Greenland</strong> amid renewed US interest in the territory, and on <strong>the funeral of Bosnian Serb war criminal <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/ratko-mladic\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Ratko Mladić</a>.</strong></p>","elementId":"4624a021-3525-48ca-8aef-589f3201b800"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>It’s <strong>Friday, 4 September 2026</strong>, it’s <strong>Jakub Krupa</strong> here, and this is <strong>Europe Live</strong>.</p>","elementId":"afa8b434-eade-4d23-b38e-2a06c18a0823"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>Good morning.</strong></p>","elementId":"51522d6a-f644-449c-8082-83ec4264222d"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788766659000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"03.37 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788765756000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"03.22 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788766659000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"03.37 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"03.37","title":"Morning opening: What now after AfD's election triumph?","contributors":[{"name":"Jakub Krupa","imageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/01/22/Jakub_Krupa.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=41cc9981ec7b067e2d3b5391c5a68a4f","largeImageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/01/22/Jakub_Krupa.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=4a039a2b765744058f3c2c677268513e"}],"primaryDateLine":"Mon 7 Sep 2026 08.03 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Mon 7 Sep 2026 03.37 EDT"}],"id":"key-events-carousel-mobile","renderingTarget":"Web","serverTime":1788782780579}">

Key events

Merz also broadly defends his government’s track record.

He says the government will need to “demonstrate that the path we chose last year … is the right one” to regain public trust.

Merz also gets asked about his personal responsibility for allowing the AfD to gain in strength.

He points to both international trends, and domestic reasons.

He says “reassessing this situation” is needed to respond to this crisis.

But he says any democratic government relies on compromises, and “perhaps we need to emphasise, explain, that point more.”

He says he “has been reflecting” on these issues for some time, but does not elaborate as to what he is actually planning to do about it - for now.

AfD win celebrated '2,500 kilometers east from here,' Merz says

In further comments, Merz comes fairly close to drawing a link betweeen AfD and Russia, as he says “2,500 kilometres in the east, the election results were being celebrated.”

“That comes as no surprise, given who tried to foster and bring about this outcome. In that sense, we know exactly who we are dealing with here.”

CDU 'no longer has mandate to govern' in Saxony-Anhalt, outgoing premier concedes

Saxony-Anhalt’s outgoing premier Sven Schulze concedes the vote and says the party “no longer has a mandate to govern” and will be in the opposition.

“The mandate to govern now lies with the AfD,” he says.

He says the decisions on what’s next lie down with the elected members.

Merz says he wants to focus on this in the coming days and weeks, and says he is aware of “our shared responsibility for our country.”

“I am aware of my personal responsibility for our country. I am determined to live up to this responsibility,” he says, seemingly dismissing any talk he could choose to step down from the post.

Germany needs 'fundamental reforms,' Merz says

Merz says Germany needs “fundamental reforms” in response to the result, a challenge he says he is ready to face.

“It is a matter of nothing less than the future of our country and the opportunities available to our children and grandchildren – opportunities we must not squander,” he says.

He says the government needs to get better at explaining its actions and rationale behind them.

Merz says it is “the very essence of democracy” that people’s attitudes shift, but he says “there is one thing that is not up for a vote: the rules by which we live together and the values enshrined” in the constitution.

He says Germany “bears a special responsibility due to its history,” and will “always uphold our political order.”

Merz concedes 'most severe election defeat' in 'years, or decades'

Merz begins by saying “we are all deeply shocked” by the result in Saxony-Anchalt.

“We did not expect it to turn out this way,” he says.

He says the vote “will have repercussions” and says even a glance at who congratulated the AfD shows “the level of international attention this result has garnered.”

He says that “when nearly 60% of voters … cast their ballots for political parties that fundamentally call into question our country’s democratic institutions … it is an election result we cannot simply move past as if nothing happened.”

He concedes this is “the most severe election defeat the CDU has suffered in years, indeed in decades.”

Germany's Merz reacts to Saxony-Anhalt election result

Merz is speaking now.

I will bring you the key lines.

Far-right AfD win in Germany is ‘grave moment’ for Europe, politicians warn

Europe correspondent

Mainstream politicians around Europe have expressed alarm after the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) swept to a historic state election victory in Germany, while nationalist figures cheered the result as a mandate for change.

While falling just short of an absolute majority, the AfD surged into first place in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on Sunday, exit polls ⁠showed, putting the far right within reach ​of power at ‌the state level for ‌the first time since the second world war.

'We cannot simply carry on as before,' Merz reportedly told party bosses, as he prepares to respond to AfD win

Back to Germany, we are expecting to hear from chancellor Friedrich Merz in the next half hour.

As reported earlier (11:22), he chaired a crisis meeting with his CDU colleagues this morning, and Bild reported that he said the AfD’s win in Saxony-Anhalt had shaken his ⁠CDU party ​to ‌its core ‌and signalled that a ‌major reckoning was needed.

“This ‌shakes our party to its ​very foundations. We cannot simply carry on as ⁠before, nor can ​I, ​nor can ​the federal government,” ​Merz ‌said, according ​to ​the newspaper.

Let’s see what he says in his first public comments since the election soon.

I will bring you his comments here live, obviously.

The funeral service has just concluded with the church bells marking the occasion, as can be heard on Tanjug news agency’s live stream, which shows thousands of Mladić’s supporters gathered in the area.

Mladić is expected to be buried at a cemetery nearby in the next hour or so.