Far-right AfD wins again as Germany's Merz slides
Germany's ruling center-right party, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union, was shut out of a state parliament for the first time Sunday as the far-right Alternative for Germany scored its second victory this month. Why it matters: The result marks the third state election AfD has won — and its second this month — underscoring its growing strength even as Germany's other major…
Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) faced a shocking defeat as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party claimed victory in state elections, marking its second win this month. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU, acknowledged the need for reforms following the disappointing results. The CDU's performance was its worst since World War II, dropping from 13% to just 4.9% and losing all representation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
In Berlin, the Left Party surged, securing over 25% of the vote and taking the top spot for the first time.
AfD's rise is a significant shift in Germany's political landscape, as the country's post-World War II consensus against a far-right government remains strong. Intelligence agencies continue to monitor the party, and it is banned from being classified as a confirmed extremist organization. However, the party's message of "remigration," abandoning the euro, and ending weapons deliveries to Ukraine has resonated with voters.
AfD leader Alice Weidel challenged Chancellor Merz to accept responsibility for the CDU's losses and called for negotiations between the parties. The AfD's growing popularity is reshaping Germany's political scene, putting pressure on the center and the firewall that has kept the far-right party out of power for so long.
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