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Lithuania's President Calls AfD's Election Surge 'Worrying'
(MENAFN) Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called the strong showing by Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in a state election "disappointing" and "worrying" on Monday, according to a public broadcaster.
"I view it as a disappointment," Nauseda told reporters at the Lithuanian parliament, adding that the outcome was foreseeable given opinion polling and the broader political mood in Germany.
"The strengthening and entrenchment of populist forces in some German states is worrying," the Baltic nation's leader said, cautioning that the growing clout of populist movements could reshape the center of gravity in German national politics in the years ahead.
Still, Nauseda said he hoped Germany's stance toward Lithuania would remain "very friendly and very constructive," and praised Chancellor Friedrich Merz's foreign policy, including his backing of Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Populist gains and the EU budget fight
Nauseda acknowledged the rise of populist forces could carry some upsides, potentially bolstering support for a tougher European migration policy and pushing discussions on migration toward more constructive ground within EU institutions.
But he warned the election result could also embolden voices in Germany pushing for a smaller German contribution to the EU's next long-term budget.
"I am afraid that after these elections, voices arguing that Germany should contribute less to the common European finances could become stronger," he said. "Let's simply be realistic."
Nauseda said Lithuania would keep pushing for an ambitious EU budget, though he acknowledged the task may now prove tougher.
The AfD captured 44% of the vote in Sunday's election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, falling three seats shy of the absolute majority needed to form a government. The outcome also dealt a blow to Merz's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which had governed Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years.
"I view it as a disappointment," Nauseda told reporters at the Lithuanian parliament, adding that the outcome was foreseeable given opinion polling and the broader political mood in Germany.
"The strengthening and entrenchment of populist forces in some German states is worrying," the Baltic nation's leader said, cautioning that the growing clout of populist movements could reshape the center of gravity in German national politics in the years ahead.
Still, Nauseda said he hoped Germany's stance toward Lithuania would remain "very friendly and very constructive," and praised Chancellor Friedrich Merz's foreign policy, including his backing of Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Populist gains and the EU budget fight
Nauseda acknowledged the rise of populist forces could carry some upsides, potentially bolstering support for a tougher European migration policy and pushing discussions on migration toward more constructive ground within EU institutions.
But he warned the election result could also embolden voices in Germany pushing for a smaller German contribution to the EU's next long-term budget.
"I am afraid that after these elections, voices arguing that Germany should contribute less to the common European finances could become stronger," he said. "Let's simply be realistic."
Nauseda said Lithuania would keep pushing for an ambitious EU budget, though he acknowledged the task may now prove tougher.
The AfD captured 44% of the vote in Sunday's election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, falling three seats shy of the absolute majority needed to form a government. The outcome also dealt a blow to Merz's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which had governed Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years.
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