By bne IntelliNews Mainstream politicians across Central and Southeast Europe have expressed relief at the outcome of Germany's general election, which saw the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) make gains but ultimately fall short of securing victory.

Elon Musk has continued his public association with Germany ’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, sending a congratulatory post on X to the party’s co-chair Alice Weidel following the election results last night in Germany. In the post, Musk quoted Hungarian president Viktor Orbán who sent his own message of support to the AfD.

The success of the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is a sign of the times. Across Europe, far-right parties once on the fringe have gone mainstream.