Global Reactions to Merz’s Election Victory Amidst Rising Far-Right Concerns

Following Friedrich Merz’s election victory, global leaders have largely congratulated him while expressing serious concern over the Alternative for Germany’s (AfD) notable rise in popularity. Merz faces the challenge of coalition-building amidst economic and geopolitical challenges. Reactions from various nations, including the U.S., France, and Hungary, reflect a mix of optimism and caution regarding future developments in Germany’s political landscape.

Global responses have poured in following Friedrich Merz’s victory in the recent German elections, leading the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to success. While numerous world leaders extended their congratulations, a significant concern arose concerning the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which achieved a record 20.8 percent of the vote, highlighting a growing trend toward the far right.

European Union officials expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with the new German leadership. European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized the need for prosperity and autonomy amid challenging times, while High Representative Kaja Kallas stressed the urgency of forming a government to move forward with essential European decisions.

From the United States, former President Donald Trump congratulated Merz, aligning Germany’s election with his political agenda. His social media message claimed, “Much like the USA, the people of Germany got tired of the no common sense agenda, especially on energy and immigration… Congratulations to all.”

The Kremlin exhibited caution regarding future German-Russian relations, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating the need to observe how the new government would approach issues of mutual interest.

French President Emmanuel Macron assured Merz of France’s commitment to fostering a stronger Europe, while United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer looked forward to deepening relations with the incoming government.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy interpreted the election results as a clear voter choice, expressing readiness to cooperate on security and peace initiatives during the ongoing conflict with Russia. NATO’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of defense spending and expressed anticipation in partnering with Merz.

Notably, while many leaders congratulated Merz, some, like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, focused on the AfD’s rise, remarking on the public’s desire for change. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini echoed similar sentiments regarding the AfD’s electoral performance.

In Austria, the far-right Freedom Party’s leader lamented the weakening barrier against the AfD, highlighting public discontent with immigration and perceived paternalism. Disturbingly, Jewish organizations expressed alarm at the AfD’s significant gains, with Josef Schuster from Germany’s Central Council of Jews articulating his shock at the rise of a party with ideological links to extremism.

In conclusion, Friedrich Merz’s election win has elicited varied international reactions, with leaders expressing both congratulations and concerns regarding the effective rise of the far-right AfD. The urgency for coalition building and addressing the economic and geopolitical challenges ahead was emphasized by multiple global leaders. The long-term implications of this election may shape Germany’s international relations and internal social dynamics given the growing influence of extremist parties.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com