The Results of the German Elections and the Rise of Violence in Europe

Alexandra Voudouri, correspondent for Kathimerini in Brussels and Research Fellow at the South-East Europe Programme at ELIAMEP, was a guest on the Euronews show “Brussels, Do I Love You?“ with journalist Maria Psara. The panel also included Panos Tasiopoulos (Head of International Cooperation and Programs at the Martens Center) and Giorgos Karatsioubanis (Economist – International Relations Expert and member of the Central Committee of the New Left). The guests discussed recent political and social developments in Europe, focusing on the German election results, where high voter turnout and the strengthening of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have raised concerns in Brussels. They also addressed the increasing violence and terrorist attacks occurring in various European countries, examining the roots of these phenomena and the policies needed to enhance social cohesion and security.

Regarding developments in Germany, Alexandra Voudouri emphasized that Alternative for Germany (AfD), now the official opposition, can no longer be considered an anti-establishment party, as it has become firmly embedded in the German political landscape. Its rise aligns with the broader trend of far-right party growth across EU member states, a development causing significant concern in Brussels. In this context, European institutions are expecting the swift formation of a governing coalition between the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Social Democrats (SPD), as timely decision-making is crucial for the EU. Key issues such as strengthening European defense, introducing flexibility in fiscal targets, and promoting the EU’s competitiveness require immediate political initiatives, which cannot move forward without Germany’s involvement.

On the issue of rising violence, she pointed out that linking migration to increasing violence is a risky correlation. She stressed that radicalization is not a new social issue in Europe but rather a long-standing challenge that continues to evolve, taking on new forms, with young people increasingly targeted. In this context, she highlighted the crucial role that social media plays in spreading extremist ideologies, noting the lack of regulatory frameworks to curb their use for such purposes. While the European Union has taken some steps in this direction, the results so far have not met expectations, making it necessary to further strengthen relevant policies and interventions.

You can watch the show in full (in Greek) here.