Poland Voices Concern Over Far-Right AfD Success in German State Election
The head of Polish President Karol Nawrocki's Cabinet, Paweł Szefernaker, expressed concern over the far-right Alternative for Germany party's victory in Saxony-Anhalt, warning its pro-Russian stance threatens Polish interests.
Paweł Szefernaker, head of the Cabinet of Polish President Karol Nawrocki, said on Zero television that he is concerned about the success of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, calling the party's platform dangerous and unacceptable.
Pro-Russian stance flagged as a concern
Szefernaker said the AfD's rising popularity in neighboring Germany creates a genuine problem for Poland, since parts of the party's platform run counter to Warsaw's interests. He specifically pointed to the AfD's pro-Russian positioning, including its proposal to lift sanctions on Russia, which he described as dangerous and unacceptable from Poland's perspective.
Merkel-era policies blamed
The Polish official argued that the AfD would not hold its current position without earlier decisions made by German authorities, particularly former Chancellor Angela Merkel. He said the party's rise was fueled by Merkel's "open door" migration policy, her "green course" environmental policy, and various other policies pursued during her tenure.
At the same time, Szefernaker said Poland should focus on cooperating with those German political forces with which it can find common interests.
Election outcome in Saxony-Anhalt
Results from the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament election confirmed a historic win for the AfD, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU is set to lose more than half of its seats in the eastern German state's legislature. Merz called the result the heaviest defeat for his party in decades and pledged to continue his reform agenda.
