The far left and far right could unite to give Russia a win in Germany | Semafor

The European Parliament election last week resulted in gains for the far right — but also, in Germany, for the pro-Russia left.

The Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht, a new political party founded by a popular pro-Kremlin leftist politician who has voiced support for buying Russian gas and backing peace talks in Ukraine with President Vladimir Putin, enjoyed an especially strong showing in several eastern German states last week. Meanwhile, the hard-right Alternative for Germany party — also seen as Russia-friendly — placed first in those same states.

Political analysts are now eyeing local elections in three of those states this fall, expecting a unique dynamic in which far-left and far-right parties could win big, partly for their stances on Russia and immigration — putting pressure on the German government over its posture toward Moscow.