The AfD’s result in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament election was assessed in the context of hybrid attack threats on Europe’s security agenda. Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the party’s success had strengthened circles that ignore these threats.
Kallas answered questions about the election result at a news conference in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, with Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius. Kallas said European Union countries are democratic states where elections are held, and also referred to the attacks in Leipzig and various acts of sabotage.
Kallas said these actions, which are attributed to Russia, had brought the threat of hybrid attacks closer to Europe and described the situation as concerning. She warned that Europe could be too late in responding to the threats if it failed to take the necessary deterrence and protection measures.
“We see circles gaining strength that say, ‘This threat does not concern us, so we should do nothing.’ I am concerned that if we do not take sufficient steps to deter the threats and protect ourselves, we could end up in a situation where we wake up far too late.”
Sinkevičius also described the situation as concerning when assessing the election results. He said the result would not lead to a significant change in cooperation between Lithuania and Germany, adding that Berlin would maintain its strategic partnership with Vilnius.
The AfD came first in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament election held on September 6, winning 43.8 percent of the vote. However, the party failed to secure the majority needed to form a government on its own.