Interference by Trump administration officials in the German campaign has influenced voter sentiment, with some left-leaning voters expressing concern while others supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) welcomed the interventions, according to interviews conducted at polling stations.
In the eastern city of Dresden, several voters referenced a speech by Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference, where he urged European leaders to engage with parties labeled as “extreme.”
Chris Buschmann, a 27-year-old left-leaning voter who chose not to disclose his voting choice, expressed anxiety after hearing Mr. Vance's remarks. He voiced concerns about the rise of right-wing populism in Germany and globally, fearing a repetition of historical events linked to Germany’s Nazi past.
Tim Adams, an engineer who voted for both the Green Party and Die Linke, criticized the influence of billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk on the German election. Mr. Musk has publicly endorsed the AfD and praised its co-chair, Alice Weidel. At an AfD rally last month, he stated that Germany has “too much of a focus on past guilt.” Mr. Adams described these interventions as detrimental to German politics.
Conversely, some voters expressed support for President Trump and his administration. Andreas Mühlbach and Anja Zeumer, both AfD supporters, welcomed the influence of the new American president.
In Aschaffenburg, Peter Kraus, a retired painter, stated he voted for the AfD “with great joy,” citing the endorsements from Mr. Vance and Mr. Musk as influential in his decision. He remarked, “When the American vice president says it, and Elon Musk, yeah, they have exactly my opinion.”