![\"Jakub](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1788768791_919_Jakub_Krupa.png\")
Jakub Krupa<\/p>\nMorning opening: What now after AfD’s election triumph?Jakub Krupa<\/p>\n
Europe wakes up this morning to final results of the Saxony-Anhalt state election in Germany<\/a>, with the far-right Alternative f\u00fcr Deutschland confirmed as the winners \u2013 but without a majority in the state parliament.<\/p>\n Cue chaotic discussions about what\u2019s next, including theoretical scenarios with defections, a minority government backed on issue-by-issue basis by the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or even\u2026 a snap election to resolve the deadlock.<\/p>\n We are expecting to hear from the embattled German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, around lunchtime. 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>\n There are also lots of political reactions from across Europe, with no doubt more to come.<\/p>\n I will bring you all the latest here.<\/p>\n Separately, I will keep an eye on Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s trip to Greenland amid renewed US interest in the territory, and on the funeral of Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladi\u0107<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s Friday, 4 September 2026, it\u2019s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.<\/p>\n Good morning.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n AfD’s gain in Germany will be seen as a worrying sign ahead of 2027 election marathon – snap analysis The Saxony-Anhalt election has been closely watched \u2013 as will be the other two upcoming German state election in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern \u2013 ahead of a number of key elections in the next 12 months which could see right and far-right parties making further gains across Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n Starting from Sweden this weekend, we will also see Latvia and Bulgaria go to the polls this autumn, but then the focus shifts to the 2027 French presidential elections, and key parliamentary races in France, Italy, Spain, Greece and Poland next year.<\/p>\n As Viktor Orb\u00e1n said (9:57<\/a>), \u201cbuckle up.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Italian government split in reactions to AfD’s win<\/p>\n Italy\u2019s foreign minister Antonio Tajani called the election result \u201cterrible news \u2026 because it concerns a political force that is antithetical to the liberal and western values,\u201d Corriere della Sera reported.<\/a><\/p>\n But Italy\u2019s deputy prime minister in the same government Matteo Salvini was delighted with the outcome of the vote, calling it \u201ca resounding success that highlights the strong demand for change, security, and jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the face of those on the left who stoked fears and catastrophic scenarios. Fear? Terror? Danger? No, it\u2019s called DEMOCRACY. Another Europe is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n For what it\u2019s worth, Giorgia Meloni has yet to respond to the election result.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>European leaders concerned about AfD win<\/p>\n We are also getting first reactions from European ministers.<\/p>\n Donald Tusk, the prime minister of Poland, said:<\/p>\n \u201cIn Poland, only idiots or traitors can rejoice at the triumph of the AfD in Germany.\u201d<\/p>\n Poland\u2019s foreign minister Rados\u0142aw Sikorski called the AfD\u2019s win \u201ca very worrying\u201d signal for Europe.<\/p>\n France\u2019s Europe minister, Benjamin Haddad, described the win as \u201ca serious moment in Europe\u201d, warning that \u201cnationalism and xenophobia will never be a solution\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must listen with humility to the anger, the concerns, the fears, and respond to them,\u201d he added. \u201cWe cannot forget our history. That is the meaning behind the choices made by France and Germany<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n French finance minister Roland Lescure joined in his warnings, saying Europe faced \u201ca major challenge in the face of a populist wave\u201d across the continent.<\/p>\n But former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n celebrated AfD\u2019s win, saying it was \u201ca huge night for Germany and Europe!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBuckle up. This is just the beginning!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Russian presidential aide praises ‘historic’ win for ‘pragmatic’ pro-Russian AfD<\/p>\n Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev took a screen grab of US president Donald Trump\u2019s post on Saxony-Anhalt and praised a \u201chistoric win for the pragmatic AfD\u201d.<\/p>\n AfD is pro-Kremlin, urging a stop to support for Ukraine and pushing for Ukrainians to no longer receive refugee status.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>AfD state leader thanks Elon Musk for support after Saxony-Anhalt win<\/p>\n On Sunday night, Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD\u2019s lead candidate, thanked Musk on X \u201cfor your support and for your clear and highly important perspective on the political developments of our time\u201d, adding: \u201cI would very much welcome the opportunity for strong and constructive cooperation\u201d.<\/p>\n Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany party (AfD), speaks as SpaceX CEO Elon Musk appears on screen during a central election campaign event of the AfD in Halle (Saale), Germany in January last year. Photograph: Karina Hessland\/Reuters<\/p>\n Siegmund wrote his comments after Musk said \u201cWell done!\u201d in German to AfD co-founder Alice Weidel, when she posted about the projected win.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Morning opening: What now after AfD’s election triumph? Europe wakes up this morning to final results of the Saxony-Anhalt state election in Germany<\/a>, with the far-right Alternative f\u00fcr Deutschland confirmed as the winners \u2013 but without a majority in the state parliament.<\/p>\n AfD leaders Ulrich Siegmund, Tino Chrupalla, and Alice Weidel, on stage at AfD election party for the 2026 state election under a slogan \u201cIt begins here.\u201d Photograph: dts News Agency Germany\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Cue chaotic discussions about what\u2019s next, including theoretical scenarios with defections, a minority government backed on issue-by-issue basis by the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or even\u2026 a snap election to resolve the deadlock.<\/p>\n We are expecting to hear from the embattled German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, around lunchtime. 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>\n There are also lots of political reactions from across Europe, with no doubt more to come.<\/p>\n I will bring you all the latest here.<\/p>\n Separately, I will keep an eye on Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s trip to Greenland amid renewed US interest in the territory, and on the funeral of Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladi\u0107<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s Friday, 4 September 2026, it\u2019s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.<\/p>\n Good morning.<\/p>\n![\"AfD](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3413.jpg\")
AfD leaders Ulrich Siegmund, Tino Chrupalla, and Alice Weidel, on stage at AfD election party for the 2026 state election under a slogan \u201cIt begins here.\u201d Photograph: dts News Agency Germany\/Shutterstock<\/p>\nJakub Krupa<\/p>\nJakub Krupa<\/p>\n