\u201cMerz is under massive pressure,\u201d the paper notes.<\/p>\n
He is expected to speak to the media around 1.30pm local time (12:30 UK).<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.22 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Mladi\u0107’s funeral gets under way in Belgrade<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the funeral of Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladi\u0107<\/a> is now under way in Belgrad amid controversy over \u201cglorification\u201d of his actions during the war in the 1990s.<\/p>\n The coffin of the former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladi\u0107, who died last week, is exposed with military honours at the St. Luka Church, in Belgrade, Serbia. Photograph: Ls Photo\/BETAPHOTO\/SIPA\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n The ceremony started in the last half hour,<\/a> after Mladi\u0107\u2019s coffin lied in state allowing his supporters to pay last tributes.<\/p>\n Thousands of people are gathered in Belgrade to follow the proceedings, and the memorial service is led personally by the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the head of the church.<\/p>\n Mourners queue as they arrive to take part in a public memorial on the day of the funeral ceremony for late Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladi\u0107 at St Lukas church in Belgrade. Photograph: Oliver Bunic\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Serbia\u2019s government figures initially suggested he would be given formal state honours \u2013 and Mladi\u0107\u2019s casket was carried from the plane by soldiers and draped in flags \u2013 but president Aleksandar Vuci\u0107 later decided against it. He also said he would not attend the ceremony due to conflicting arrangements.<\/p>\n But the president rejected the accusations of glorifying the former general \u2013 including from senior EU figures, such as the bloc\u2019s enlargement commissioner Marta Kos, who cancelled her planned trip to Serbia \u2013 saying the funeral service is merely in keeping with the family\u2019s wishes, AFP said.<\/p>\n As Julian Borger, who covered the Balkan war in the 1990s and the horrors of Srebrenica first-hand<\/a>, said in his obituary for Mladi\u0107:<\/p>\n \u201cMladi\u0107 had ordered the executions of all males of army age or deemed old enough to bear arms. More than 8,000 men and teenage boys were mown down in what would be the worst massacre Europe had witnessed<\/a> for half a century.<\/p>\n At the time of his death, in a UN prison hospital in The Hague, Mladi\u0107, one of the most reviled mass killers in modern European history, was serving a life sentence.<\/p>\n However, among nationalists in Serbia and the Serb half of Bosnia, the Republika Srpska, he is still portrayed as a hero \u2013 powerful evidence that the murderous ideology he embodied is still very much alive.\u201d<\/p>\n People gather during the funeral for Ratko Mladi\u0107 in Belgrade, Serbia. Photograph: Andrej \u010cuki\u0107\/EPARed Star Belgrade supporters form a tifo depicting the late former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladi\u0107 during the Serbian SuperLiga football match between Red Star Belgrade and Partizan Belgrade in Belgrade last weekend. Photograph: AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Mladi\u0107 will be buried at the Top\u010dider cemetery where his daughter Ana, who killed herself during the Bosnian war, is also buried.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.27 EDT<\/p>\n Saxony-Anhalt election results – in full<\/p>\n Se\u00e1n Clarke<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Italian press write about ‘darkness above Berlin’ after AfD’s state election win in Rome<\/p>\n All of Italy\u2019s daily newspapers have led with AfD\u2019s victory in Saxony-Anhalt, with La Repubblica\u2019s headline describing it as \u201cthe darkness above Berlin\u201d.<\/p>\n The political reaction exposes the divisions in Giorgia Meloni\u2019s ruling coalition. Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League, said the victory was \u201cremarkable for the AdD\u201d and reportedly sent a message of congratulations to its leader, Alice Wiedel.<\/p>\n Antonio Tajani, who leads the centre-right Forza Italia, said the victory was \u201cbad news\u201d while Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party has neofascist roots, has not said anything publicly.<\/p>\n Some reports suggest her views align more with Tajani, in that the election result is not something to celebrate but should be a warning that the EU must be more effective in its response to the concerns of citizens.<\/p>\n Opposition politicians say the rise of the extreme right is Europe<\/a> is worrying while Roberto Vannacci, who in Italy is hoovering up support on the far-right \u2013 posing a serious dilemma for the government as it seeks a second mandate in general elections next year \u2013 welcomes the victory.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Chancellor Merz hosts crisis talks after AfD’s win, reports say<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Bild newspaper is reporting<\/a> that chancellor Friedrich Merz has called crisis talks within his CDU party this morning to discuss his response to last night\u2019s result.<\/p>\n \u201cMerz is under massive pressure,\u201d the paper notes.<\/p>\n He is expected to speak to the media around 1.30pm local time (12:30 UK).<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.22 EDT<\/p>\n German freedom undermined by Russian drones, Moscow-friendly lawmakers, minister warns<\/p>\n Meanwhile, German interior minister Alexander \u2060Dobrindt said the country\u2019s \u2060freedom is \u2060under threat \u200bfrom Russian drones as well as \u2060by domestic lawmakers who support Moscow in parliament, \u2060underscoring the government\u2019s harder line \u200bagainst \u200cRussia.<\/p>\n Freedom in \u200cGermany is \u201cthreatened from outside \u200cby Russian drones in our skies and from inside by Moscow\u2019s ideological low-flyers in our parliaments,\u201d said \u200cDobrindt, speaking at a political rally in Bavaria, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n Berlin \u200bhas blamed Russia for a drone attack in August at Leipzig\/Halle airport. \u2060<\/p>\n Dobrindt\u2019s warning comes after \u200bthe \u200bfar-right AfD, which \u200bhas been pushing \u200bfor \u200crestoring ties \u200bwith Russia, \u200bwon state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.09 EDT<\/p>\n On immigration, Weidel insists that her party \u201cwarmly welcomes everyone who contributes positively to our society\u201d and pays taxes, but says it would implement a very strict migration policy.<\/p>\n Far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, and top candidate Ulrich Siegmund, attend a press conference, the day after the Saxony-Anhalt state elections, in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: Fabrizio Bensch\/Reuters<\/p>\n \u201cFor us, it is not a matter of whether someone is a foreigner or has a migration background,\u201d he says, but insists AfD does not want \u201cunregulated, irregular migration across open borders, consisting largely of unskilled individuals using our social welfare systems.\u201d<\/p>\n She says it is unacceptable that people have to worry for their safety at Christmas markets, and Germany<\/a> needs to \u201csecure our borders and precisely control who comes to us and who is not allowed to come.\u201d<\/p>\n She says her party would \u201cdeport those who commit crimes here or are staying illegally.\u201d<\/p>\n She says the current migration policy \u201cleaves people to watch as they become strangers in their own country,\u201d and is negatively affecting public finances.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.33 EDT<\/p>\n AfD to open talks on ruling in Saxony-Anhalt<\/p>\n AfD\u2019s Saxony-Anhalt leader Siegmund also says the party has \u201ca mandate to govern,\u201d but stresses it will not want to compromise on its principles and key proposals.<\/p>\n \u201cI will run as the candidate for minister-president in Saxony-Anhalt if it becomes apparent that we have secured a stable majority,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n He says without a majority \u2013 and relying on abstentions and other workarounds \u2013 would not be satisfactory.<\/p>\n But the AfD will \u201cextend a hand\u201d to every other party to hold exploratory talks on whether they can find an agreement on what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n He appears to suggest that defections from other parties could be an option, saying he will \u201chold discussions \u2026 if there are individual groups or MPs willing to join us in tackling this historic task.\u201d<\/p>\n He says he wants to see Weidel as a future German chancellor so they work side by side.<\/p>\n The AfD\u2019s ambitions are \u201cnot just about Saxony-Anhalt; they are about Germany<\/a>,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.56 EDT<\/p>\n AfD\u2019s Chrupalla continues in this vein, saying the German public wants to see a change in direction, and specifically saying the electorate is \u201cfed up\u201d as the government keeps \u201ctransferring billions of our tax money to Ukraine \u2026 instead of using it for our own population.\u201d<\/p>\n He says the party has \u201ca clear mandate\u201d to rule in Saxony-Anhalt and will hold discussions with others about what can be done.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>AfD eyes 40% vote share at 2029 parliamentary election, Weidel says<\/p>\n Weidel continues by saying that the electorate wants to see strong leadership capable of setting a \u201cdirection\u201d to \u201cguarantee our country\u2019s viability for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n She says CDU\/CSU \u201cwill never again be able to win a federal election,\u201d and says she expects AfD to get \u201cat least\u201d 40% at the next federal election in 2029.<\/p>\n \u201cThe people of this country want a change in policy; they want politics that serves the interests of our country,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>AfD’s Weidel celebrates ‘a dream result’ for far-right AfD<\/p>\n AfD\u2019s Weidel celebrates \u201ca historic election result\u201d – which she calls \u201ca dream result\u201d – for the AfD, the party\u2019s best \u201cby a wide margin.\u201d<\/p>\n She says the triumph was fuelled by a number of previous non-voters turning up to support her party, which she calls a triumph for democracy.<\/p>\n She says the electorate \u201clost trust\u201d in federal politics and the government, saying \u201cno chancellor before him was as unpopular as Friedrich Merz is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe election in Saxony-Anhalt shows that people expect a change in policy,\u201d she says, stressing a need to fight irregular migration, change energy policy and lower taxes in particular.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>AfD leaders speak after Saxony-Anhalt win<\/p>\n The co-leaders of the Alternative f\u00fcr Deutschland Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla and the party\u2019s Saxony-Anhalt leader Ulrich Siegmund are now giving a press conference after last night\u2019s win.<\/p>\n I will bring you the key quotes here.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.34 EDT<\/p>\n AfD’s gain in Germany will be seen as a worrying sign ahead of 2027 election marathon – snap analysis The Saxony-Anhalt election has been closely watched \u2013 as will be the other two upcoming German state election in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern \u2013 ahead of a number of key elections in the next 12 months which could see right and far-right parties making further gains across Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n Starting from Sweden this weekend, we will also see Latvia and Bulgaria go to the polls this autumn, but then the focus shifts to the 2027 French presidential elections, and key parliamentary races in France, Italy, Spain, Greece and Poland next year.<\/p>\n As Viktor Orb\u00e1n said (9:57<\/a>), \u201cbuckle up.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Italian government split in reactions to AfD’s win<\/p>\n Italy\u2019s foreign minister Antonio Tajani called the election result \u201cterrible news \u2026 because it concerns a political force that is antithetical to the liberal and western values,\u201d Corriere della Sera reported.<\/a><\/p>\n But Italy\u2019s deputy prime minister in the same government Matteo Salvini was delighted with the outcome of the vote, calling it \u201ca resounding success that highlights the strong demand for change, security, and jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the face of those on the left who stoked fears and catastrophic scenarios. Fear? Terror? Danger? No, it\u2019s called DEMOCRACY. Another Europe is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n For what it\u2019s worth, Giorgia Meloni has yet to respond to the election result.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>European leaders concerned about AfD win<\/p>\n We are also getting first reactions from European ministers.<\/p>\n Donald Tusk, the prime minister of Poland, said:<\/p>\n \u201cIn Poland, only idiots or traitors can rejoice at the triumph of the AfD in Germany.\u201d<\/p>\n Poland\u2019s foreign minister Rados\u0142aw Sikorski called the AfD\u2019s win \u201ca very worrying\u201d signal for Europe.<\/p>\n France\u2019s Europe minister, Benjamin Haddad, described the win as \u201ca serious moment in Europe\u201d, warning that \u201cnationalism and xenophobia will never be a solution\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must listen with humility to the anger, the concerns, the fears, and respond to them,\u201d he added. \u201cWe cannot forget our history. That is the meaning behind the choices made by France and Germany<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n French finance minister Roland Lescure joined in his warnings, saying Europe faced \u201ca major challenge in the face of a populist wave\u201d across the continent.<\/p>\n But former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n celebrated AfD\u2019s win, saying it was \u201ca huge night for Germany and Europe!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBuckle up. This is just the beginning!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Russian presidential aide praises ‘historic’ win for ‘pragmatic’ pro-Russian AfD<\/p>\n Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev took a screen grab of US president Donald Trump\u2019s post on Saxony-Anhalt and praised a \u201chistoric win for the pragmatic AfD\u201d.<\/p>\n AfD is pro-Kremlin, urging a stop to support for Ukraine and pushing for Ukrainians to no longer receive refugee status.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>AfD state leader thanks Elon Musk for support after Saxony-Anhalt win<\/p>\n On Sunday night, Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD\u2019s lead candidate, thanked Musk on X \u201cfor your support and for your clear and highly important perspective on the political developments of our time\u201d, adding: \u201cI would very much welcome the opportunity for strong and constructive cooperation\u201d.<\/p>\n Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany party (AfD), speaks as SpaceX CEO Elon Musk appears on screen during a central election campaign event of the AfD in Halle (Saale), Germany in January last year. Photograph: Karina Hessland\/Reuters<\/p>\n Siegmund wrote his comments after Musk said \u201cWell done!\u201d in German to AfD co-founder Alice Weidel, when she posted about the projected win.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Morning opening: What now after AfD’s election triumph? Europe wakes up this morning to final results of the Saxony-Anhalt state election in Germany<\/a>, with the far-right Alternative f\u00fcr Deutschland confirmed as the winners \u2013 but without a majority in the state parliament.<\/p>\n AfD leaders Ulrich Siegmund, Tino Chrupalla, and Alice Weidel, on stage at AfD election party for the 2026 state election under a slogan \u201cIt begins here.\u201d Photograph: dts News Agency Germany\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Cue chaotic discussions about what\u2019s next, including theoretical scenarios with defections, a minority government backed on issue-by-issue basis by the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or even\u2026 a snap election to resolve the deadlock.<\/p>\n We are expecting to hear from the embattled German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, around lunchtime. With German media running grainy pictures of Merz looking glumly on the backseat of his car, it is probably fair to say that the pressure on him will only increase.<\/p>\n There are also lots of political reactions from across Europe, with no doubt more to come.<\/p>\n I will bring you all the latest here.<\/p>\n Separately, I will keep an eye on Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s trip to Greenland amid renewed US interest in the territory, and on the funeral of Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladi\u0107<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s Friday, 4 September 2026, it\u2019s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.<\/p>\n Good morning.<\/p>\n![\"Angela](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Angela_Giuffrida.png\")
Angela Giuffrida<\/p>\n![\"Jakub](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Jakub_Krupa.png\")
Jakub Krupa<\/p>\nJakub Krupa<\/p>\n