German chancellor Merz distances Berlin from US following Trump praise for AfD
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cancelled a call with US President Donald Trump and declared post-war trans-Atlantic ties "probably over" following Trump's praise for the far-right AfD.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called off a planned telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump following social media posts from Trump celebrating the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s recent state election victory in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD secured nearly 44% of the vote and has commenced negotiations to build a governing majority, despite its classification as an extremist organization by German domestic intelligence.
Speaking to the Bundestag, Merz characterized the AfD as a "destructive force" and strongly criticized its immigration platform. Merz also declared that the era of "unconditional" trans-Atlantic ties established after World War II was "probably over" for the time being. The election outcome has drawn international concern, with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski describing the far-right triumph as "very worrying."
Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, France24, Sweden Herald, The Guardian
Sources
- France24 — 🔴 Germany: Victory of far-right AfD in state election 'very worrying', says Polish FM
- Sweden Herald — Trump praises AfD’s election success in Saxony-Anhalt
- BBC News — Germany's Merz attacks AfD in stormy debate after far-right election win
- The Guardian — Germany’s Merz cancels phone call with Trump after social media post celebrating AfD win – Europe live
- Bloomberg — Merz Says US Friendship Built Since War ‘Probably Over’ for Now
Earlier coverage
- Sep 21, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCGermany's Merz cancels Trump call following US praise for far-right AfD gains
- Sep 21, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCGermany's Merz cancels Trump call after US president praises far-right AfD election win
- Sep 21, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz confronts far-right AfD and pulls Trump call following election losses
- Sep 21, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCGerman chancellor cancels Trump call following far-right election praise
- Sep 20, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCMerz declares post-war US ties over after Trump praises AfD
- Sep 18, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCMerz says unconditional US-Europe ties are 'probably over' after Trump praises AfD
- Sep 16, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz cancels call with Trump following AfD election post
- Sep 11, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCFar-right AfD wins historic state election in Saxony-Anhalt