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How the AfD's rise could reshape German politics
Quick Take

How the AfD's rise could reshape German politics

In this Quick Take, Ian Bremmer breaks down the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's historic win in the Saxony-Anhalt state election and what it could mean for the country's political future.

Supporters of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party hold placards as they attend AfD top candidate Ulrich Siegmund's campaign event ahead of the upcoming Saxony-Anhalt state elections in Magdeburg, Germany.
What We're Watching

AfD’s big win sends shockwaves around Germany, Australia wants to give social media users an algorithm opt-out, Milei tests Falklands recognition by suing oil company

The far-right party won a landslide in Saxony-Anhalt this weekend, taking nearly 44% of the vote.

Wildfire smoke on a hill
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Alternative for Germany (AfD) top candidate Ulrich Siegmund speaks on stage as he campaigns ahead of the upcoming Saxony-Anhalt state elections, in Magdeburg, Germany.
What We're Watching

Far-right AfD poised to win big state election in Germany, Nigel Farage engulfed in new scandal, Pentagon says location data was used to attack US troops

The party, which opposes immigration and favors closer ties with Russia, has a double-digit polling lead in Saxony-Anhalt.

Right-wing populism goes Down Under
Analysis

Right-wing populism goes Down Under

For nearly thirty years, Pauline Hanson has occupied the fringes of Australian politics.

​From left to right, Prime Minister of Bavaria Markus Soeder, Chairman of the CDU Friedrich Merz, Heads of the SPD Lars Klingbeil, and Saskia Esken arrive at a press conference after successful coalition negotiations in Berlin, Germany, on April 9, 2025.
What We're Watching

Germany’s Friedrich Merz strikes grand coalition deal

Germany’s leading establishment parties reached a grand coalition deal on Wednesday, bringing Europe’s largest economy a step closer to having a formal government amid severe domestic and global challenges.

Friedrich Merz, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Alice Weidel
News

Can Friedrich Merz be the leader Germany – and Europe – needs?

As expected, Friedrich Merz is set to become the next German chancellor after his conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) won one of the tightest and highest-turnout elections in the country’s postwar history.

Germany's close election limits its ability to lead Europe
Quick Take

Germany's close election limits its ability to lead Europe

Ian Bremmer's Quick Take: Germany’s election results are in, with the far-right AfD party expanding their vote share to second place. Ian Bremmer looks at what the outcome means for the future of Europe and the transatlantic alliance.

​Christian Democratic Union party leader Friedrich Merz speaks at the party headquarters after the exit poll results are announced for the 2025 general election, in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 23, 2025.
What We're Watching

Conservatives come first, far right second in German election

As expected, the conservative Christian Democratic Union and its sister party, the Christian Social Union, came out on top in Germany’s election on Sunday with 28.6% of the vote. But the biggest celebrations were held by those supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, which scored a second-place finish with 20.8%, doubling its share of the vote since the last election. It beat the centrist SPD’s 16.4% and the Greens’ 11.6%.

​Ten thousand protesters gather in front of Duesseldorf Central Station to march against the AfD's upcoming afternoon rally in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Feb. 15, 2025.
Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Far right surges to prominence ahead of German elections

Amid a deep economic crisis and renewed migration concerns, the far-right party Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is poised to double its vote share in this weekend’s general elections. We talked to Eurasia Group expert Jan Techau, about how the AfD's increasing strength is transforming German politics.

​German conservative CDU candidate for chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a campaign event in Vechta, Germany, on Feb. 19, 2025.
What We're Watching

Election-eve shifts in Germany?

The CDU/CSU is very likely to win, making Friedrich Merz the country’s new chancellor. But he’s likely to lead a coalition government with a weak mandate, in part because he has vowed to reject any cooperation with the AfD.