Dynamics of German Electoral Shifts

Last Sunday, Germany held parliamentary elections that are set to usher in a new political era for the country. The far-right Alternative for Germany had its best electoral result ever, capturing 20% of the vote and finishing as the second-largest party in the Bundestag. This domestic shift is taking place against the backdrop of massive turmoil within Europe and the transatlantic relationship, spurred by the Trump administration’s antagonism towards its allies and rapprochement with Russia.  

This episode of Brussels Sprouts, where we analyze Germany’s election results, features Jeff Rathke and James Angelos. 

James Angelos is Germany news editor at POLITICO, having been based in Berlin for over a decade. 

Jeff Rathke is the president of the American-German Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C.