AfD leader thanks Elon Musk after historic state election win in Germany

The AfD's victory in the eastern state was celebrated by prominent international figures. Musk, the tech billionaire, posted “Well done!” in German to AfD co-founder Alice Weidel on X. Siegmund responded by thanking Musk for his support.

Donald Trump also weighed in, posting a screenshot of the election projection on his Truth Social platform without adding comment. In Moscow, Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev praised what he called a “historic win for the pragmatic AfD”, noting the party’s pro-Kremlin stance. The AfD has urged an end to German support for Ukraine and advocated stripping Ukrainian refugees of their status in Germany.

Despite its resounding victory, the AfD fell three seats short of an absolute majority, winning 39 seats in the 83-member state legislature. The party had hoped to secure a majority to govern alone and bypass the long-standing “firewall” maintained by mainstream German parties, which have refused to cooperate with the far-right.

The result has stirred concern across Europe, as it represents a significant breakthrough for a far-right party in post-war Germany. No far-right party has led or formed a government in Germany since the defeat of Nazism.

Why This Matters

The AfD's win in a German state is a historic first and signals growing support for far-right, anti-immigration politics in a key European Union member.
The involvement of Elon Musk and Donald Trump underscores the international alignment of populist and right-wing figures, potentially influencing future elections.
Russia's endorsement highlights the geopolitical dimension, as the AfD's pro-Kremlin stance could shift European policy on Ukraine and sanctions.

Background

The AfD was founded in 2013 as a eurosceptic party and has steadily moved further to the right, adopting anti-immigration, anti-Islam, and nationalist positions. Mainstream German parties have maintained a “firewall” since the post-war era, refusing to form coalitions with far-right parties. Saxony-Anhalt, in eastern Germany, has been a stronghold for the AfD. The 2026 state election was seen as a test of whether that firewall could hold. The party fell just short of an absolute majority, leaving coalition negotiations uncertain.

Key Perspectives

[AfD]: Celebrates the result as a mandate for its policies and thanks international supporters like Musk. Siegmund framed the win as a rejection of the mainstream. [Mainstream German parties]: Likely to reaffirm their refusal to cooperate with the AfD, potentially leading to a minority government or coalition without the far-right. [Russia]: Supports the AfD as a friendly voice in Europe that opposes arms for Ukraine and sanctions. Dmitriev’s praise signals Moscow’s approval. [US (Trump administration)]: Trump’s post, while without comment, aligns with his own populist rhetoric and could embolden the AfD. The US energy secretary simultaneously warned of difficulties reaching a nuclear deal with Iran.

What to Watch

Efforts by the AfD to form a government despite falling short of a majority; potential legal or political maneuvers to bypass the firewall.
Reaction from the German federal government and EU institutions; possible sanctions or increased monitoring.
Further statements from Musk, Trump, or Russian officials that could amplify the AfD’s standing ahead of the 2027 federal election.

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