Prague, Sept 24 (CTK) – Czech politicians, including PM Bohuslav Sobotka, have highlighted that the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) led by Chancellor Angela Merkel succeeded in winning a German parliamentary election for the fourth time in a row on Sunday, according to the results estimates.
They also agreed that the third position of the anti-immigration populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), after the second Social Democrats (SPD), was a warning signal.
“I believe that she will form a stable government soon. This will be important for Europe and Czech-German relations,” Sobotka (Social Democrats, CSSD) tweeted.
The AfD has actually won the German general election, government ANO chairman Andrej Babis said.
“The actual election winner is the AfD that has considerably strengthened its position thanks to the issues of refugees and security,” Babis wrote in a text message sent to CTK.
“The fourth election victory of Angela Merkel in a row proves that satisfaction predominates in Germany,” Foreign Minister and CSSD election leader Lubomir Zaoralek tweeted.
Chamber of Deputies chairman Jan Hamacek (CSSD) appreciated the victory of pro-European parties in the neighbouring Germany. However, he also expressed disappointment at the success of the AfD that fared third.
Opposition Civic Democrat (ODS) chairman Petr Fiala pointed out that both government parties, the CDU/CSU and the SPD, had lost support and “part of German voters decided to protest against the (government) migration policy.”
Despite that, Germans have a chance to have a democratic government headed by the CDU/CSU that will get an opportunity to correct mistakes, he added.
Vojtech Filip, chairman of the opposition Communists (KSCM), also mentioned the loss of both the CDU/CSU and the SPD and the success of the “rightist populists.” This is no good piece of news either for Germans or for Europe, he added.
“It is clear that there is a strong disillusionment in German society,” he told CTK.
TOP 09 chairman Miroslav Kalousek welcomef Merkel’s another victory in the general election.
Germans preferred democracy and humanism to populism and hatred, he told CTK, adding that he was not pleased by populism strengthening its position in Germany also “with immense aid by Russian propaganda.”
“I have a great admiration for Merkel. Many were condemning her and writing her off only a year ago. It is appropriate to congratulate her and wish her all success with the formation of a government coalition,” TOP 09 deputy chairman Marek Zenisek said.
Junior government Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) chairman Pavel Belobradek wished the CDU/CSU patience during the negotiations on a new government.
Culture Minister Daniel Herman (KDU-CSL) was more optimistic in his comments.
“Stability and prosperity were given the green light. Now I keep my fingers crossed for Angela to form a stable government,” he said, in reaction to the preliminary election results.
TOP 09 MEP Jiri Pospisil said the mainstream parties’ position had weakened in the German election in spite of Merkel’s victory.
Mayors and Independents (STAN) movement chairman Petr Gazdik said Merkel’s victory was expected. He added that he would not underestimate people’s concern about security in Europe because of the AfD’s high support.
After the SPD’s announced departure for opposition, the expected new coalition of the CDU/CSU with the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Greens will command majority in German Bundestag, which would cause pressure on EU reforms in regulations, energy industry and climate, state secretary for European affairs Tomas Prouza (CSSD) said.
“Germany is another country where the young let the older generation decide about their own future. I would be glad if the Czech Republic broke this trend,” Czech presidential candidate Michal Horacek said.
