German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged mainstream parties not to enter coalitions with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which recently saw success in state elections. Scholz emphasized that the AfD is damaging Germany and called for a united front against the party. AfD’s popularity has led to concerns about mainstream parties shifting to the right. The AfD’s success in Thuringia and Saxony has sparked debates about potential coalitions, with AfD leaders hoping to join governing coalitions despite traditional parties vowing not to work with them. The rise of the AfD reflects growing voter anger at mainstream politics and concerns about issues such as immigration and integration. The AfD gained support by shifting its focus from economic concerns to anti-immigrant and anti-Islam sentiments, particularly in the former East Germany. The recent knife attack in Solingen, claimed by ISIS and involving a failed asylum-seeker, added fuel to the fire. The results of the state elections have weakened the ruling coalition and could have long-term implications for future elections in Germany and at the European level. The situation highlights the challenges facing mainstream parties in dealing with the rise of far-right movements in Germany and across Europe.
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German Chancellor denounces far-right party’s first state election victory since WWII
