BERLIN, Sept 2 (V7N)- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the results of recent regional elections as "bitter," following significant victories for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The AfD made history by becoming the first far-right party to win a state legislature election in Germany since World War II, achieving this in Thuringia. In Saxony, the AfD finished a close second behind the conservative party, further highlighting its growing influence.

Scholz urged mainstream parties to form governments without collaborating with "right-wing extremists," emphasizing the potential dangers posed by the AfD. He stated, "Our country cannot and must not get used to this. The AfD is damaging Germany. It is weakening the economy, dividing society, and ruining our country's reputation." The results reflect a troubling trend for Scholz's coalition, which includes the Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democrats. All three ruling parties suffered losses, with only the SPD managing to clear the 5% threshold needed to remain in the state parliaments.

The elections also saw the rise of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a new populist leftist party that outperformed all three coalition partners in its first state elections, finishing in third place. Scholz acknowledged the disappointing results but noted that the dire predictions of the SPD potentially falling out of a state parliament did not come to pass.

The election outcomes could lead to increased pressure on the government to adopt stricter immigration policies and intensify discussions regarding support for Ukraine, which were central issues during the campaign. With a national election approaching in a year, these results may exacerbate existing tensions within Scholz's coalition as they seek to address their declining popularity and the challenges posed by the AfD's rise.