Representatives of churches, Jewish communities and migrant organizations reacted with concern and horror to the AfD's success in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt.
A party classified by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as definitely right-wing extremist is only just away from sole government in a German federal state, said the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster. He was horrified. "Over the last few months it has been clear what goals the AfD is pursuing. Whoever voted for them today - despite or because of these goals - bears responsibility for this result."
Holocaust survivors express fear
Former head of the Central Council of Jews, Charlotte Knobloch, said it was difficult for her to recognize her homeland on days like these. "I could never have imagined in my worst nightmares that right-wing extremists in Germany would win elections like this again." From the perspective of the 93-year-old Holocaust survivor, the result is "a sign that the statics of democracy in our country are no longer working - and I say quite openly: that scares me."
The President of the International Auschwitz Committee, Eva Runde, also spoke of fear. In Munich, the 83-year-old Auschwitz survivor explained that a right-wing extremist party would once again be the strongest faction in a German state parliament, "which we as survivors of the Holocaust would never have thought possible."
“Migration is not a culture war”
The umbrella organization of migrant organizations in East Germany warned against exclusion and racism. Many people experienced uncertainty: "We need concrete political answers to this. At the same time, the solution must not be to play social groups off against each other or to stigmatize people because of their origin, religion or immigration history," explained the association in Halle. "Migration is no exception and not a culture war. It is a social reality."
AfD leader Tino Chrupalla announced in the evening - apparently assuming an AfD government - that funding for associations or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) "that do not work in a value-added way in this country and that practice indoctrinated politics here" should be canceled.
Churches warn against demarcation
The Protestant regional bishop Friedrich Kramer reacted with regret: "We will have to deal with this. It shows very clearly that a rift runs deep through society," he said in the ARD special broadcast on the election. He demanded that a future government must protect human dignity, the law and minorities.
The Catholic Bishop of Magdeburg, Gerhard Feige, warned during a diocesan pilgrimage on election day about the increase in prejudices, demarcations and self-interest. “At the moment this means in a special way resisting the nationalist and xenophobic evil spirit,” he said.
Business associations warn of negative consequences
The digital association Bitkom sees the election result as having potentially negative consequences for the economy. "The digital economy thrives on openness, diversity and international cooperation. Companies invest where they find good conditions and skilled workers from home and abroad are welcome," explained President Ralf Wintergerst.
The association of business associations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where state elections will also take place at the end of September, sees the AfD's victory in Saxony-Anhalt as bad for the economy. “This result is already a serious setback for the business location and social cohesion,” said the deputy managing director, Sven Müller.
Demonstrators demand review of AfD ban procedures
After the election in Saxony-Anhalt, people took to the streets against the AfD in several cities: In Frankfurt am Main, according to police reports, around 2,500 people demonstrated to consider banning proceedings against the clear election winner, the AfD. Hundreds of people also took to the streets in Berlin that evening with similar demands. In Hamburg there were just over 1,000 people. There was also a demonstration in Mainz about this.
A larger rally against the AfD at the Brandenburg Gate has been announced for Monday evening. According to the police, 5,000 people are expected from 6 p.m.
