AfD

Political shifts may shape how quickly Germany adopts electric cars and solar power

A new study conducted by the Climate Action Research Lab (CARL) at the University of Freiburg finds that electric cars and photovoltaic systems are less widespread on average in municipalities with strong support for Alternative for Germany (AfD). The researchers also examined how changes in political support within the same municipalities over time affect subsequent adoption of these technologies. They found that an increase in the AfD's share of the vote is followed by relatively slower adoption of electric cars and photovoltaic systems. The technologies continue to spread, but at a slower rate. The work is published in the journal Nature Sustainability.

Sep 23, 2026 · byPhys.org

Vater, Mutter, Kinder – Alice Weidel und das Familienbild der AfD

Alice Weidel lebt in einer gleichgeschlechtlichen Partnerschaft mit Kindern – ein scharfer Kontrast zum traditionellen Familienbild der AfD. Wie reagiert die Parteichefin, wenn Spitzenkandidaten wie Ulrich Siegmund ihr Lebensmodell öffentlich abwerten und Parteikollegen gegen sexuelle Minderheiten hetzen? Pauline von Pezold und Frederik Schindler analysieren einen internen Kulturkampf, in dem Weidel zunehmend ins Visier der eigenen […]

Sep 23, 2026 · byPOLITICO Europe

Fake videos spread fraud claims during German elections

Videos falsely claimed the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) was omitted from postal ballots or that votes were destroyed, echoing tactics previously used by the pro-Russian influence network Storm-1516.

Sep 23, 2026 · byEuronews

Why the world should care about the far right’s rise in Germany

The AfD has a far different vision on support for Ukraine, foreign aid and Russia than the governing coalition.

Sep 22, 2026 · byAl Jazeera

Kremlin says it welcomes fact that Germany's AfD wants dialogue with Russia

‘Hope’ rises in Berlin immigrant communities as Left wins amid AfD gains

The Left party, led by Turkish-origin Elif Eralp, won Berlin, offering a contrast to the far right's wins in the east.

Sep 22, 2026 · byAl Jazeera

Germany: Difficult days for Chancellor Merz

The far-right AfD and the socialist Left Party have grown their vote in recent state elections, while the centrist parties see their support wane. The biggest loser is Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Sep 22, 2026 · byDeutsche Welle

Germany’s Merz hits out at ‘destructive’ forces as he fights for survival

Chancellor defensive after AfD’s second electoral victory in the east and far left wins in Berlin

Sep 21, 2026 · byFinancial Times

Sorbonne Professor Hans Stark: 'Merz is in a very, very fragile situation'

The far right AfD claims it has become Germany’s new “people’s party”. The statement comes after AfD claimed its second regional election win in as many weeks, ramping up pressure on the poorly performing CDU and Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The far-left party also advanced, winning its third regional election thanks to its latest victory in Berlin. Perspective spoke to Hans Stark, professor in contemporary German civilization at Sorbonne University, who said that Merz is now in a very fragile situation, but that there is no obvious candidate to take over from him.

Sep 21, 2026 · byFrance 24

Regional losses for Germany's ruling CDU

Another electoral setback for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his centre-right CDU performed poorly in two state elections on Sunday. Projections showed the party failing to enter the state parliament in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the far-right AfD came out on top, while the far-left Die Linke led the vote in Berlin. The AfD also made significant gains in both states, building on its recent victory in Saxony-Anhalt. France 24 Europe editor Armen Georgian shares further insights.

Sep 21, 2026 · byFrance 24

Kremlin says AfD's victory in Germany due in large part to lack of cheap Russian gas

Merz ‘fighting for political survival’ as AfD takes another state and The Left wins Berlin

Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke to press just minutes after polls revealed massive CDU losses. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the party failed to make the five-percent threshold. In Berlin, where the party had held power, it was thrashed by the Left.

Sep 21, 2026 · byEUobserver

Ticking clock? German far-right AfD poll winner says Merz 'twilight' has begun after state election defeats

The string of election debacles comes as Merz has struggled to push through promised economic and social welfare reforms with his coalition partners in the SPD.

Sep 21, 2026 · byEuronews

AfD surges as Merz’s CDU suffers regional elections setback

Another electoral setback for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his centre-right CDU performed poorly in two state elections on Sunday. Projections showed the party failing to enter the state parliament in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the far-right AfD came out on top, while the far-left Die Linke led the vote in Berlin. The AfD also made significant gains in both states, building on its recent victory in Saxony-Anhalt. Nick Rushworth reports.

Sep 21, 2026 · byFrance 24

Germany: CDU suffers a crushing defeat in the regional elections

Germany’s regional elections delivered mixed results for the country’s major parties. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the far-right AfD won the largest share of the vote, but remains isolated as other parties have ruled out coalition talks, leaving incumbent SPD premier Manuela Schwesig with a realistic path to forming a government. In Berlin, meanwhile, the Left Party came out on top and could potentially form a coalition with the Greens and SPD. The CDU, however, performed poorly in both elections, putting additional pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his conservative bloc. Speaking after the results, France 24 correspondent Jörg Taszman reported that Merz said his government would “continue with the reforms” and that “Germany will be better,” urging supporters not to focus only on what has gone wrong.

Sep 21, 2026 · byFrance 24

Five takeaways from Germany's regional elections after far-right gains

Sunday's elections in two German states resulted in the defeat of the country's ruling CDU, a result described as a “disaster” by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, in the northeast of the country, the far-right AfD became the strongest party while the hard-left Die Linke led the polls in Berlin.

Sep 21, 2026 · byFrance 24

Germany: The Left triumphs in Berlin as AfD surges in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Germany’s final state elections of the year have delivered a sharp political shake-up. The Left has won Berlin, while the AfD has come out on top in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with the CDU suffering heavy losses in both elections.

Sep 21, 2026 · byEuronews

German state elections deal a blow to Chancellor Friedrich Merz

Elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have dealt the CDU a historic defeat while the AfD saw a massive gain. The pressure on Germany's unpopular chancellor is mounting.

Sep 20, 2026 · byDeutsche Welle

Merz stumbles on after another big election defeat. But for how long?

Pressure is growing on the German chancellor, with the hard-right AfD party projected to win key state elections, delivering the worst result for his conservative CDU party since 1949.

Sep 20, 2026 · byThe Sydney Morning Herald

AfD makes gains in state elections, but has no government options

Despite making significant gains in both Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the far-right AfD remains without options to form a state government.

Sep 20, 2026 · byDeutsche Welle

Friedrich Merz vows to stay in office after CDU ‘disaster’ in German state elections

Far-right AfD wins in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and leftwing Die Linke on course for victory in Berlin Germany’s embattled chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has vowed to stay in office and fight for future-proofing economic changes despite heavy losses for his conservatives in two state elections, one to the far right and the other to a leftwing party. Preliminary results indicated Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) tallied just over the 5% threshold to enter the state parliament in the coastal region of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, its worst-ever state score, which he called a “disaster”. Continue reading...

Sep 20, 2026 · byThe Guardian

AfD ahead as Merz rues 'disaster' in worst state election result in postwar Germany

Germany's Merz vows to press on with reforms despite state election losses to far-right AfD

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suffered a bruising electoral setback in two state elections on Sunday, including a historic defeat for his party, but vowed to press ahead with potentially painful reforms to Europe's biggest economy.

Sep 20, 2026 · byCBC News

Germany’s Merz admits ‘disaster’ in state elections, vows to press ahead with reforms

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday described his CDU party's heavy losses in two regional elections as a "disaster", but vowed to push ahead with a reform drive. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party took first place in ​the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, exit polls showed, and also gained in strength in another election in Berlin.

Sep 20, 2026 · byFrance 24