In a statement, the European Jewish Congress urged centrist parties to ensure the AfD "has no representation in the coming governing coalition. Some of the positions it has espoused during the election campaign display alarming levels of intolerance not seen in Germany for many decades and which are, of course, of great concerns to German and European Jews."
World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder said it was "abhorrent that a disgraceful, reactionary movement which recalls the worst of Germany’s past and should be outlawed, now has the ability within the German parliament to promote its vile platform".
Demonstrations against the AfD took place in major German cities.
The AfD argues that immigration threatens Germany’s culture but denies it is racist or antisemitic.
It was congratulated on its electoral succcess by French National Front leader Marine Le Pen, who said it was a "symbol of the revival of the European peoples".
