In a statement, the European Jewish Congress (EJC) congratulated Friedrich Merz and the Christian Democratic Party CDU on their victory in the German elections.
At the same time, as the statement states, "we support the concerns of the Central Jewish Council of Germany and express our deep concern about the election results, especially the fact that one in five voters supported the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The significant rise of a party with a history of extremism, xenophobia and Holocaust denial, with some of its members openly engaging in anti-Semitic rhetoric, is worrying. The growing influence of the AfD is a serious challenge to democratic values in Germany and across Europe.
As coalition negotiations begin, we urge Germany's leaders to unite their democratic forces to ensure stability and firmly reject extremism.
These elections highlight the urgent need for a strong, responsible government that upholds democracy, tolerance and historical responsibility. It is important to address the factors that fuel extremism and ensure that Germany remains a country where Jewish communities and other minorities can live in safety and dignity.
"We hope that Germany's leaders will take these results as a wake-up call and work to strengthen the country's role as a beacon of democracy, stability and human rights in Europe, while leading the fight against anti-Semitism."
SOURCE: EJC announcement 24.2.2025