Italian coalition splits as Salvini and Tajani clash over AfD election win in Saxony-Anhalt

Coalition rift over German regional vote

The victory of Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the state election of Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September 2026 produced an immediate division inside Italy's ruling coalition. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of Lega, contacted AfD co-leader Alice Weidel on Sunday morning before poll closures to offer his early congratulations. He rejected characterizations of the German party as an unacceptable political force and argued that voter choices must be respected without alarmism. After initial projections confirmed the result, Salvini publicly celebrated the outcome on social media as proof of widespread demand for political change.

Fear? Terror? Danger? No, it is called democracy. Another Europe is possible.

Opposing positions within the Italian cabinet

Salvini's reaction drew immediate pushback from fellow Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. The Forza Italia leader stated that the German party stands in direct opposition to liberal and Western principles, expressing hope that the outcome remains a localized event. Tajani stated that while democratic results must be respected, mainstream European political families need to counter extremist developments by adjusting European Union policies and addressing voter concerns.

The outcome of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt is the assertion of a political force that is antithetical to the liberal and Western values in which Forza Italia recognizes itself, and it is bad news that we hope is a local exception.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni chose not to release an immediate statement regarding the election. Fratelli d'Italia was represented instead by lawmaker Emanuele Loperfido, a member of the Italian parliamentary delegation to the OSCE, who noted the high voter turnout in Saxony-Anhalt and stated that the outcome indicates a clear request for a change of pace from voters. Maurizio Lupi, president of the coalition partner Noi Moderati, called the result predictable and urged calm analysis without overloading a regional ballot with excessive meaning.

Divergence among European parliamentary alliances

The differing reactions reflect deeper European alignments among the governing parties in Rome. Forza Italia belongs to the European People's Party alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Lega formerly shared the Identity and Democracy group with AfD until the German party was expelled in 2024 following statements by Maximilian Krah. Roberto Vannacci, leader of Futuro Nazionale, sits directly with AfD in the Europe of Sovereign Nations group in the European Parliament and praised the exit polls, which showed AfD reaching 44.5%.

Europe changes. In Saxony AfD is given at 44.5% by exit polls. Merz has an ulcer. Monti will have to dedicate his scarce energy to them as well. Let no one sleep.

Opposition leaders voice concern over European cohesion

Italian opposition parties united in expressing concern over the German election outcome. Carlo Calenda, leader of Azione, declared that the European Union faces serious risks, noting that the resurgence of nationalist movements referencing past totalitarian systems has not occurred in post-Second World War history. Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte argued that European rearmament priorities at the expense of addressing social inequalities contributed directly to AfD finishing in first place. Democratic Party Senator Filippo Sensi described the outcome as a distressing sign for European stability, pointing to poor electoral numbers for both the CDU and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the eastern German state.