Mainstream politicians across Central and Southeast Europe have expressed relief at the outcome of Germany's general election, which saw the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) make gains but ultimately fall short of securing victory.

A win for the AfD would have sent shockwaves across Europe, placing a nationalist and eurosceptic force at the heart of the EU at a time when the return of Donald Trump to the White House is already reshaping the global order.

Ahead of Germany’s election there had been fears that a victorious AfD would bring about similar upheavals in the EU’s largest economy – not least through its stated aims of leaving both Nato and the eurozone. 

On the economic front, Germany is a critical partner of countries across the CEE/SEE region, with industries such as automotive components heavily reliant on exports to Germany. Any slowdown in the German economy has direct repercussions for the region.

But it was the political implications of the German election that were seen as particularly concerning for states on the Nato Eastern flank, many of them sharing borders with Russia or Ukraine. 

There are those in the region who would no doubt have welcomed an AfD victory. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, for example, recently hosted AfD leader Alice Weidel in Budapest, and described the controversial politician as “the future of Germany”.

Victory for stability 

On the other hand, Romanian politicians, in particular, welcomed the victory of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), viewing Germany as a crucial anchor of stability in the Western alliance. The German election outcome also carries implications for Romania's own political landscape. The country is preparing for a crucial presidential election in May, with far-right, pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu leading the race. Georgescu topped the first round of the 2024 presidential election, which was later cancelled amid concerns over potential Russian interference.

Far-right parties, including the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), also performed strongly in Romania's December general election. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu took to social media to celebrate the German election results.

“Good news from Germany, where the centre is holding. Congratulations to @_FriedrichMerz [Friedrich Merz] @CDU for winning the parliamentary election, and looking forward to continuing the excellent cooperation with Romania’s most important commercial partner!” Ciolacu wrote.

His remarks sparked backlash from Georgescu supporters, who accused him of hypocrisy for applauding Germany's democratic process while Romania's own presidential election was cancelled.

Bucharest mayor and presidential candidate Nicușor Dan was more forthright in his response.

“I congratulate the pro-European centre-right bloc CDU/CSU for winning the general elections in Germany. It is an important victory in the current turbulent European and international political context. Although they scored well, extremist parties of both the right and left were defeated at the polls by the German electorate,” he wrote on Facebook.

Dan added that the formation of a CDU-led government under Merz would ensure Germany continues to uphold European democratic values, strengthen the EU and remain a reliable Nato ally.

Nato’s eastern flank

Beyond Romania, other European leaders welcomed the result. In Moldova, which like Romania shares a border with Ukraine, President Maia Sandu commented on Germany’s vital role in maintaining European stability.

“Germany’s leadership is essential for Europe’s strength. I look forward to deepening our partnership and working together for a stronger, more united and peaceful Europe,” she wrote on Facebook.

In Lithuania, Laurynas Kaščiūnas, chairman of the ruling Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (HU-LCD), welcomed the win for a party with similar views to his own on issues such as migration, but also commented on the broader implications for the European continent. 

“The new German government, which we hope will be formed as quickly as possible, will begin its work at a time of extreme geopolitical tension and bears the historic responsibility for the security of Europe, especially the eastern flank. The CDU victory is good news for Lithuania and will contribute to our greater security,” said Kaščiūnas. 

“I believe that the CDU and its leader F. Merz will provide the strong leadership that is needed now not only for Germany but for all of Europe,” Kaščiūnas added.

His party colleague, MEP Rasa Juknevičienė, welcomed the pro-European outcome but sounded a warning about the AfD’s rise, particularly in former East Germany.

“The AfD will definitely not be in power. A 'sanitary cordon' will certainly be established,” she said.

She also criticised Elon Musk for his vocal support of the AfD, which she described as an openly pro-Russian party.

By contrast, Polish officials remained largely silent on the German election. Neither Prime Minister Donald Tusk nor President Andrzej Duda commented, as domestic attention was focused on Duda's meeting with Trump and a session of Poland’s National Security Council.

The highest-profile Polish official to address the election was Sejm (parliament) speaker Szymon Hołownia.

“The Sejm is ready to cooperate with the new Bundestag for a Europe that is strong economically and militarily. However, the Polish parliament will remain closed to the AfD – there is no room for cooperation with those who seek a revision of Polish-German borders and undermine the foundations of the Polish state,” he said.

Allies against migration 

In Czechia and Slovakia, political leaders focused on the shift to the right within Germany's new government and its likely tougher stance on migration.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, leader of the neoliberal ODS party, said he expects “a certain change in German politics” and hopes for “a stronger accent on European-wide issues”, particularly economic development and combating illegal migration.

Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, of the centre-left Hlas party, framed the election as a rejection of past migration policies.

“The results are a stop sign for Europe, which must reconsider its policies. The 'Mutti Merkel' era has been proven a mistake not just for Germany but for the whole of Europe,” he argued.

He also linked Germany's economic struggles to the loss of Russian energy supplies, claiming that "without cheap energy from Russia, German production is becoming more expensive.”

The view from EU candidate countries 

Politicians in EU candidate countries also commented on the result. Serbian leaders remained largely cautious in their response. President Aleksandar Vučić congratulated Merz and the CDU on social media, emphasising Serbia’s commitment to maintaining strong bilateral ties.

“The world is facing great decisions. Leaders must have the courage to write a new chapter that will bring lasting stability, peace and prosperity. On this long and difficult path, Serbia will always be a reliable and serious partner for Germany,” Vučić stated.

Meanwhile, the state-aligned newspaper Politika framed the election as a rejection of the Social Democrats (SPD), highlighting their worst-ever result despite high voter turnout.

SPD politicians such as Minister for Europe Michael Roth have strongly criticised Serbia in the past, especially in the aftermath of the December 2023 general election.

In Bosnia & Herzegovina, Denis Bećirović, the Bosniak member of the state presidency, hailed the CDU’s victory as a boost to bilateral ties.

“On behalf of the citizens of Bosnia & Herzegovina, I send warm congratulations for the election victory in Germany,” he said, expressing hope for swift coalition negotiations.

The vote comes at a sensitive time for Bosnia, as the country awaits the verdict in the trial of Milorad Dodik, the pro-Russian leader of Republika Srpska, who has threatened secession if convicted.