German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has expressed her concern about the strong performance of France's right-wing nationalist National Rally (RN) party in the first round of elections there.
"It cannot leave anyone cold when (...) in our closest partner and best friend a party that sees Europe as the problem and not the solution is far ahead," Baerbock said on Monday, referring to the strong showing by Marine Le Pen's party in French snap elections on Sunday.
She said that Germany and France - the two largest countries in the European Union - share a special responsibility for a Europe.
"In a democracy, elections are of course in the hands of the voters," Baerbock said, adding that as Germany's foreign minister she has a particular responsibility not to interfere in domestic politics of another country.
The RN and its allies took the lead in the first round of the early parliamentary elections, collecting 33% of the vote. The left-wing New Popular Front alliance is at almost 28%, while President Emmanuel Macron's centrist camp has just over 20%.
Run-off elections, in which most of the seats in France's National Assembly will be decided, will take place next Sunday.
