Germany’s leading Jewish representative body has said it is “shocked” by the success enjoyed by the far-right populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the country’s election.
Preliminary results of the official German election count show that the Conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) had triumphed overall in the federal election.
As votes were still being counted on Sunday Dr. Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said:”Today’s election evening suggests that it will be difficult to form a government. I appeal to all those involved to be aware of their responsibility for a stable government.
“We need realistic solutions from the political center for the pressing problems facing our country. Although this result was to be expected according to the polls, I am also shocked this evening by the electoral success of the AfD, which has doubled its share of the vote in just three years.
“It must concern us all that a fifth of German voters are voting for a party that is at least partially right-wing extremist, that openly seeks links to right-wing radicalism and neo-Nazism in its language and ideology, plays on people’s fears and offers them only apparent solutions.”
The European Jewish Congress also echoed the concerns raised by their German affiliate “particularly the fact that one in five voters supported the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).”
“The significant rise of a party with a history of extremism, xenophobia and historical revisionism is alarming, with some members openly engaging in antisemitic rhetoric,” added the EJC.
“The AfD’s growing influence represents a serious challenge to democratic values in Germany and across Europe. “As coalition negotiations begin, we urge Germany’s leaders to unite democratic forces, ensure stability and firmly reject extremism.”
