Rising Right-Wing Influence and Jewish Security Concerns Shape Europe’s 2026 Outlook
European politics this year is marked by Israel’s upcoming elections, Spain’s volatile political climate, and the AfD’s near-majority win in Saxony-Anhalt, which has sparked a death threat against Holocaust survivor Charlotte Knobloch.
As the Jewish calendar approaches Yom Kippur, reflections turn to political developments across Europe. Israel’s forthcoming general election, the first in decades where the Knesset will complete a full term, is expected to influence its diplomatic posture toward the continent. Spain is entering a critical electoral period with municipal, regional and possible national votes, all occurring while its relationship with Israel is at a low point.
Meanwhile, the German far-right AfD secured enough seats in Saxony-Anhalt to sit just shy of an outright majority, a historic closeness since World War II. Shortly after the vote, Charlotte Knobloch, an 81-year-old Holocaust survivor and leader of the Munich and Upper Bavaria Jewish Community, received a death threat explicitly tied to the AfD’s success, leading authorities to launch a police and prosecutorial investigation. The episode underscores lingering concerns about antisemitism and the safety of Jewish communities in Europe.
Why it matters
The story highlights how electoral shifts and extremist gains can directly threaten the security of Jewish communities in Europe.
In this story
