Mainstream politicians express alarm while lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt welcomes congratulations from Elon Musk

Mainstream politicians around Europe have expressed alarm after the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) swept to a historic state election victory in Germany, while nationalist figures cheered the result as a mandate for change.

While falling just short of an absolute majority, the AfD surged into first place in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on Sunday, exit polls ⁠showed, putting the far right within reach ​of power at ‌the state level for ‌the first time since the second world war.

    • SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de
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      1 day ago

      Doubtful. The German voting system is quite solid with multiple people checking ballot counting at each step. Citizens can also witness the counting of they want to

      The state in question is just one of a couple that always voted quite rightwing. It’s nothing new

      Also, the system is way too old for Elon to have any interest in touching it

      • Breadhax0r@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        The interesting thing is that he doesnt even have to touch the voting system itself, all of social media is controlled by techno fascists so (basically) all they have to do is boost their own messaging while downplaying opposing messages. Control the voters control the vote.

      • Kiwi_fella@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        I’m interested in your statement about this state being one of a couple that always vote right wing. “Nothing new” is how you ended that bit. The way it comes across in the media and commentary is that this is quite a significant thing, so I’m wondering if this is actually worrying or media hype? Thoughts? I’ve also heard that AfD is polling well across Germany in general, so is this taken into account in the media and your statement?

        Because we are internet strangers, I just want you to know I’m actually interested in what you said and your opinion, with no intent of attacking you.

        • just_an_average_joe@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          17 hours ago

          For reference, in Baden-Württemberg, AfD almost got second place in state election. They got barely less than CDU and came third with about 20%. BW is south west Germany btw. They have been getting votes from everywhere.

    • Cheebus@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      They need to investigate this yesterday. I believe Musk meddles big time

      No way humanity is actually that bad

      • SpongyAneurysm@feddit.org
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        1 day ago

        Pretty much impossible to do. The voting system in Germany is fairly analog. It’s all done on paper.
        The only electronic part, that could be hacked, is when the do quick reports of the results that are being used for reporting on the day of the election. But discrepancies would come to light very soon.

        So I highly doubt direct interference with the election. But I’m sure he has a big influence on the propaganda that’s going on, and that is problematic enough.

        I don’t know about the people being bad. They are certainly misled, and I would have liked to bring that up as a defense. But it also says something about them, if they let themselves be misled by obvious arseholes.

      • Auli@lemmy.ca
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        1 day ago

        I mean yes yes we are. This time period we have been is is the anomaly if talking span of time.