BERLIN — Chancellor Olaf Scholz labeled the outcomes of two regional elections — which showcased significant victories for the far-right AfD and setbacks for his coalition — as “bitter,” and urged mainstream parties to create governments free from “right-wing extremists.”

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) marked a historic milestone as the first far-right party to win a state election since World War II, achieving notable success in Thuringia. In Saxony, projections revealed it finished second, closely trailing the conservatives.

Despite being classified as “right-wing extremist” by security authorities in both eastern German states, the AfD is unlikely to govern because other parties have refused to join forces with it to form a majority.

Nonetheless, the AfD might obtain enough seats in both states to obstruct decisions needing a two-thirds majority, such as appointing judges or top security officials, giving it a significant level of power.

“The results for the AfD in Saxony and Thuringia are alarming,” Scholz asserted in his statement to Reuters, clarifying he was speaking as a representative of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD).

“Our nation cannot and must not grow accustomed to this situation. The AfD is damaging Germany by undermining the economy, fracturing society, and tarnishing our reputation on the global stage.”

With a year remaining before Germany’s national elections, the Sunday results have dealt a blow to Scholz’s tumultuous coalition, potentially worsening internal conflicts. All three ruling parties experienced a drop in votes, with only the SPD securing a comfortable margin to stay in the parliaments of both states.

The new leftist populist party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), started by a former East German Communist Party member, performed better than all three coalition partners in its inaugural state elections, claiming third place.

“The results from the Sunday elections are painful — for us as well,” Scholz remarked. However, he noted that the more pessimistic forecasts, predicting that the SPD might be ousted from a state parliament for the first time, had not come true.

Minor coalition partners, the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats, both failed to secure places in the Thuringia state assembly.

These election results could push the government to adopt stricter immigration policies and amplify discussions regarding support for Ukraine, issues that were central to the campaign.