Today, Explained
Germany's rightward march
Feb 24, 2025
Nina Haase, Chief Political Correspondent for Deutsche Welle, and Constanze Stelzenmüller, Director at the Brookings Institution, dive into Germany's shifting political landscape. They discuss the historic electoral gains of the far-right Alternative for Germany party and the implications for democracy and transatlantic relations. The conversation highlights the challenges of managing free speech amid rising extremism and the urgency for a stable government to counter external threats. Fear and hope collide as Germany grapples with its past and future.
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Quick takeaways
- Germany's recent election saw a significant rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, capturing around 20% of the vote and indicating growing anti-immigrant sentiment.
- Friedrich Merz's conservative CDU party emphasized urgency in leadership and immigration reform, promising effective solutions in response to current political and economic challenges.
Deep dives
Historic Election Turnout and Shift in Power
The recent election in Germany witnessed the highest voter turnout in a generation, with over 80% of eligible voters participating. Friedrich Merz from the conservative CDU party is set to become the new chancellor, emphasizing the need for swift action rather than lengthy coalition negotiations. This election saw the Conservatives sweep the Social Democrats out of power, forming a pro-European centrist government. Notably, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AFD) party achieved a significant milestone, securing about 20% of the vote, marking a troubling rise in far-right sentiment in the country.
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