Former US President Donald Trump has praised the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) following the party's strong performance in a recent German election, according to a report from Bloomberght.
The report, published Wednesday, indicates Trump offered congratulations to the AfD as the party posted significant gains. Other coverage of the vote shows the AfD approaching 44 percent support in one survey, a result that has triggered street protests across Germany, as reported by Haber 7.
The election outcome has intensified political conflict in Berlin. Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative CDU, accused his far-right rivals of seeking "ethnic cleansing," according to a report from sozcu.com.tr. Merz has also rejected any cooperation with the AfD, pushing back against the party's demands, as detailed by hurriyet.com.tr.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel also weighed in on the result, saying her "heart is bleeding" over the AfD's success, according to NTV Haber. Her comment reflects the deep unease among mainstream politicians about the far-right party's rise.
The AfD's surge has upended the traditional political order in Germany, where postwar parties have long rejected cooperation with the far right. The party's gains come amid public frustration over migration and economic concerns, though the specific issues driving voters were not detailed in the available reports.
Trump's praise for the AfD aligns with his history of backing nationalist parties in Europe, though the exact wording of his comments was not available in the source material.
The coming weeks will show whether mainstream parties can form a governing coalition without the AfD, and whether the party's success in this vote translates into lasting political influence or triggers a broader realignment in German politics.
