Despite facing several scandals, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made significant gains in Sunday’s EU election, securing second place according to early exit polls. AfD’s co-leader, Alice Weidel, expressed pride in the party’s resilience amidst challenges, stating they are the “second strongest force” despite initial setbacks. The party obtained a record 16.5% of the vote, marking a notable increase from the last EU election in 2019.
In contrast, Germany’s Greens experienced a decline in support, attributed to voter backlash against costly emission reduction policies. The conservatives maintained a lead at 29.5%, with next year’s federal election remaining unpredictable due to potential challenges faced by chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz.
AfD’s success is seen as a response to dissatisfaction with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, struggling with ongoing crises such as the Ukraine war and migration issues. The outcome reflects shifting political dynamics in Germany, setting the stage for a closely contested federal election in the near future.
Source: Reuters