Tag

Afd

All articles tagged with #afd

politics2 days ago•1 min saved

Merz Confronts 'Historic Rupture' as AfD Secures First State Parliament Presidency

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned recent electoral defeats as a 'historic rupture' after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured its first state parliament presidency in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD’s Tobias Rausch was elected speaker with support from the far-left BSW and alleged secret votes from CDU members, triggering a crisis within Merz’s coalition. Simultaneously, the Left Party won the Berlin state election, promising to nationalize housing. Merz’s approval rating has hit a record low, with major tests looming in North Rhine-Westphalia.

via Al Jazeera|

#afd #cdu #friedrich-merz

politics2 days ago•1 min saved

Saxony-Anhalt Vote Breaches Germany’s ‘Firewall’ as AfD Secures First Regional Speaker

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces a new crisis after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) elected Tobias Rausch as the first regional parliament speaker in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The secret ballot revealed four unexpected votes, which the AfD claims came from Christian Democratic Union (CDU) members, breaching the long-standing political 'firewall' against the party. While Merz denies CDU involvement, suggesting potential 'false flag' operations, the result threatens the stability of his coalition and the party’s credibility. The AfD now seeks to form a government in December, with lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund claiming negotiations with CDU members are progressing, despite official denials from CDU leadership.

via Financial Times|

#afd #cdu #friedrich-merz

politics3 days ago

AfD Candidate Rausch Becomes First Far-Right Speaker of a German State Parliament Since 1945

Tobias Rausch of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was elected speaker of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament on October 6, 2026, marking the first time a far-right party has held this position in a German state legislature since 1945. Rausch, 35, won with 48 votes in an 83-seat chamber, despite the AfD holding only 39 seats. His victory relied on support from the far-left Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) and four unidentified lawmakers from other parties, breaking the post-war 'firewall' consensus against cooperating with the AfD. The AfD’s September election victory in Saxony-Anhalt, where it won 44% of the vote, set the stage for this breakthrough. The next major test is in December, when AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund will seek to become state premier, though the BSW has stated it will not support him. The election has intensified debates over the normalization of the AfD and sparked protests in Magdeburg.

via BBC|

#afd #bsw #german-politics

politics3 days ago

AfD’s Tobias Rausch becomes first far-right speaker of a German state parliament since 1945

Tobias Rausch of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was elected president of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament on October 6, 2026, marking the first time a far-right party has led a German state legislature since 1945. Rausch won 48 votes in a secret ballot, aided by the far-left Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) and four unidentified lawmakers from mainstream parties, despite the AfD holding only 39 of 83 seats. The AfD’s September election victory, which captured 44% of the vote, positioned the party to potentially govern the state. The next major test is in December, when AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund will seek to become minister president, though the BSW has stated it will not support him. The result has intensified debates over the 'firewall' policy that has traditionally isolated the AfD from other parties.

via Politico|

#afd #elections #germany

politics3 days ago•131 min saved

AfD's First State Parliament President Elected Amid Migrant Anxiety and Political Firewalls

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured its first-ever presidency of a regional parliament in Germany since 1945, with Tobias Rausch elected speaker of the Saxony-Anhalt Landtag. This follows the party's landslide victory in September, where it won nearly 44% of the vote. The election, which relied on secret support from other parties, has intensified fears among migrants in eastern Germany and sparked a national debate over the traditional 'firewall' against extremist parties.

via AP News|

#afd #german-politics #migration

politics6 days ago•4 min saved

EU leaders scramble for contingency plans as Merz’s collapse threatens German stability

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces unprecedented political turmoil, with approval ratings at historic lows and his CDU party suffering catastrophic losses in recent state elections. While domestic opponents celebrate his decline, EU officials in Brussels are alarmed by the potential for a leadership vacuum or a far-right government in Europe’s largest economy. Two EU governments have begun internal contingency planning for Merz’s potential ouster, fearing disruptions to critical negotiations on the EU’s 2 trillion euro budget and industrial policy. Although a successor from the CDU or SPD is likely to replace him immediately, the political instability is already complicating Berlin’s stance on key EU issues, including car emissions and social media regulations.

via politico.eu|

#afd #cdu #european-union

world11 days ago•210 min saved

AfD's Radicalism Drives a Wedge Between Germany and Europe's Far-Right

Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) has achieved historic electoral gains, winning 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt and leading in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin. While these results destabilize Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government, they have simultaneously alienated major European far-right allies. France's National Rally and Italy's Brothers of Italy have distanced themselves from the AfD due to its pro-Russian stance, anti-Ukraine rhetoric, and refusal to purge extremist factions, creating a significant rift within the European right-wing bloc.

via CNN|

#afd #european-politics #friedrich-merz

world12 days ago•210 min saved

AfD's Radical Surge in Germany Fractures European Far-Right Alliances

Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) has achieved historic electoral gains in recent state elections, winning 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt and leading in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin. While the party's success has destabilized Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government, it has simultaneously alienated several major European far-right parties. France's National Rally and Italy's Brothers of Italy have distanced themselves from the AfD due to its pro-Russian stance, anti-Ukraine rhetoric, and refusal to purge extremist factions, creating a rift within the European right-wing bloc.

via CNN|

#afd #european-politics #friedrich-merz

politics13 days ago

Heidenau Council Bans Holocaust 'Stumbling Stones' in Controversial Move

The town council of Heidenau, Saxony, has voted to ban the installation of new 'stumbling stone' memorials for Nazi victims, a decision that has sparked widespread condemnation from German officials, Jewish community leaders, and the artist who created the project. The ban, supported by local branches of the far-right AfD and the conservative CDU, aims to relocate future commemorations to a cemetery to prevent passersby from stepping on the plaques. Critics argue this move erases Jewish history from public spaces and reflects a dangerous erosion of the political 'firewall' against extremist parties.

via BBC|

#afd #cdu #germany

politics13 days ago•2 min saved

Merz’s Coalition Crumbles as Germany’s Political Center Faces Existential Crisis

Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces a severe leadership crisis after his CDU party suffered historic defeats in recent state elections, including being ousted from parliament in Mecklenburg-Vorpomerania. While Merz retains internal party support, his approval ratings have hit record lows. The collapse of the political center has accelerated the rise of the far-right AfD, which now leads national polls at approximately 28%, while the Left party gained ground in Berlin. Analysts debate whether this reflects a failure of centrist moderation or the consequences of decades of rigid austerity policies that alienated the public.

via BBC|

#afd #cdu #european-politics

politics16 days ago•2 min saved

Berlin’s historic Left victory contrasts with AfD’s eastern gains

Berlin voters elected Elif Eralp of the Left party as their new mayor, marking a historic shift toward anti-capitalist and pro-migrant policies. While the Left secured 25.7% of the vote, the far-right AfD also gained ground, winning in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and finishing third in Berlin. This split outcome highlights a deepening polarization in German politics, with the Left focusing on housing affordability and the AfD capitalizing on anti-immigrant sentiment.

via Al Jazeera|

#afd #berlin-politics #die-linke

world17 days ago•3 min saved

Merz under siege as CDU suffers regional rout and AfD momentum reshapes Germany

Friedrich Merz’s CDU suffers a historic regional rout, with the AfD topping Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and a left-leaning Berlin coalition clinching victory, prompting talk of a possible chancellor swap and mounting internal pressure on Merz to push reforms; Merz pledges to stay, but the party’s unity and momentum for the far right threaten the federal government.

via The Guardian|

#afd #berlin #cdu

world17 days ago•4 min saved

Merz Faces Survival Test as CDU Sinks in Berlin and MV

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces a fresh political blow as the CDU is expelled from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s parliament for the first time in 77 years and falls to second in Berlin behind the Left, while the far-right AfD surges in MV. Merz vows to persist with his reform program—pension overhaul, bureaucratic reduction and tax relief for low- and middle-income earners—amid pressure from coalition partners and questions about the government’s legitimacy, as five state elections next year could test the coalition’s survival and credibility.

via NBC News|

#afd #berlin #cdu

politics18 days ago•7 min saved

Merz faces uphill battle as CDU loses ground to AfD in eastern Germany

Chancellor Friedrich Merz blames widespread discontent and 'destructive' populist forces for CDU's regional defeats, including AfD's win in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and losses in Berlin, and pledges party reform as it confronts long-term questions and reforms such as raising the retirement age to 67.

via Financial Times|

#afd #cdu #friedrich-merz

world18 days ago•6 min saved

Merz's stability gamble backfires as CDU falters and AfD surges

Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces a political crisis after multiple regional losses and a historically low approval rating, with the CDU faltering while the anti-immigration AfD surges, risking his leadership and shaking Germany’s stability and its influence in Europe.

via BBC|

#afd #cdu #elections