France, Sept. 7 -- French Finance Minister Roland Lescure has voiced concern over the far-right Alternative for Germany's (AfD) historic victory in Sunday's regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, describing the result as a deeply worrying signal for Europe.

The AfD won around 44 percent of the vote in the eastern German state - by far its strongest result in a regional election - while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centre-right Christian Democratic Union secured about 18 percent, according to projections by German public broadcasters.

Speaking to RTL radio on Monday, Lescure said he had recently discussed the political situation with German business leaders who were themselves increasingly concerned.

"This shows that we face a major challen...