Votes doubled

AfD success: Central Council of Jews “shocked”

(Bild: EPA)

While right-wing conservative Germany is delighted about a huge increase in votes in the Bundestag elections, the Central Council of Jews is not feeling positive - its president, Josef Schuster, was "shocked" on Sunday. 

"Although this result was to be expected according to the polls, I am also shocked this evening by the electoral success of the AfD, which has doubled its share of the vote in just three years," he told Die Welt on Sunday.

"Right-wing extremist party, at least in parts"
"It must concern us all that a fifth of German voters are giving their vote to a party that is at least partly right-wing extremist," Schuster continued. Schuster emphasized that the AfD is a party that "openly seeks linguistic and ideological links to right-wing radicalism and neo-Nazism".

"I appeal to all those involved"
Schuster also expressed concern about a potentially difficult government formation. "Tonight's election suggests that it will be difficult to form a government," he said.

"I appeal to all those involved to be aware of their responsibility for a stable government." Realistic solutions are needed "from the political center for the pressing problems of our country".