Landslide victory for Germany’s AfD in election piles pressure on Merz

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was facing pressure Monday after the far-right Alternative Germany (AfD) party swept to a landslide victory in a regional election, possibly paving the way for the first right-wing populist state government since the Nazi era.

Landslide victory for Germany’s AfD in election piles pressure on Merz

TL;DR

  • The far-right Alternative Germany (AfD) party won a landslide victory in a regional election in Saxony-Anhalt.
  • This victory may result in the first right-wing populist state government in Germany since the Nazi era.
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing pressure following the election results.
  • The AfD is classified as an extremist group by Germany's domestic intelligence agency in some regions.
  • Far-right movements in Germany are closely monitored due to the country's Nazi past.
  • Modern Germany has not yet had a far-right or right-wing populist party lead a national, state, or major-city government.