The election results in the state of Saxony have sparked strong reactions – Anhalt in Germany, where the far-right AfD emerged as the winner of the election, though without a majority.

Activists and human rights organizations took to the streets earlier in major German cities to protest the election results.

SEE ALSO: Trump: Chart on the AfD’s election victory in Saxony-Anhalt | AlphaNews 

Specifically, thousands of people in all of Germany’s major cities, such as Frankfurt and Berlin, protested, holding signs depicting Merz with… horns and wearing T-shirts bearing slogans in support of democracy and human freedoms and rights.  At the same time, both German and European Union flags were prominently displayed.

#IGR: Protests broke out across German cities such as Berlin and Frankfurt following the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state elections. pic.twitter.com/cH3piF3aXE

— India Global Review (@IGR_Media) September 7, 2026

Notably, at least 5,000 citizens gathered in Berlin and at the Brandenburg Gate, and there were also clashes with local police forces. 

#IGR: Protests broke out across German cities such as Berlin and Frankfurt following the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state elections. pic.twitter.com/cH3piF3aXE

— India Global Review (@IGR_Media) September 7, 2026

Merz: We are deeply shocked

Earlier, in remarks, Chancellor Friedrich Merz pointed out that Germany has long since left nationalism behind and will not allow a new nationalist movement to emerge.

“We are deeply shocked. We did not expect this to such an extent,” he said, adding that the result must, like any election result in a democracy, be respected.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz:

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“Germany has left nationalism behind and will never again allow ethnic nationalism in Germany.”

Follow: @europa pic.twitter.com/GxwQ3lJPnp

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— Europa.com (@europa) September 7, 2026

The chancellor referred to the fact that approximately 60% of voters turned to what he described as “undemocratic parties,” including the AfD, the BSW, and Die Linke. At the same time, he emphasized, among other things, that Germany’s democratic institutions remain strong and are capable of protecting the political system, while invoking the political legacy of Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl, which, he said, he intends to carry on.

Source: Proto Thema