German Chancellor Scholz Criticizes Far-Right Party After Strong Showing in Regional Elections

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed disappointment and concern over the recent election results, describing them as "bitter" and "worrying". The Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right party, made significant gains, becoming the first far-right party to win a state legislature election in Germany since World War Two. The AfD came close to winning in Saxony, finishing second behind the conservatives, and is likely to be part of the next government in Thuringia. However, security officials have deemed the AfD a "right-wing extremist" party, making it unlikely to be able to govern effectively. Scholz urged lawmakers to form coalitions without the AfD, while the party's leaders, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, claimed that the AfD should be part of the next governments in both states.