Right-wing populism in Germany

Exit polls in Brandenburg, where a battle between the Social Democrats and the far-right Alternative for Germany was expected to take place, show a lead for the SPD.

In particular, the results from the exit polls outside the polling stations in the German state give the SPD 31 percent and the AfD 30 percent.

The rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in elections in the states of Thuringia and Saxony on Sunday was expected, as was the poor result of the three parties in Olaf Scholz's federal government (the Social Democrats, Greens and Free Liberals).

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved an impressive victory in the local elections in Thuringia, securing nearly 33% of the votes amid growing voter dissatisfaction with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left government.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday urged parties to avoid collaborating with the far right, after the AfD made record gains in two regional polls and his own coalition suffered a heavy defeat a year before a general election.

Recent regional elections in two East German states have dealt a significant blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ruling coalition, casting a shadow over his prospects for next year's federal elections.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) could become the strongest party for the first time in two state elections on Sept. 1 in eastern Germany, while a months-old party founded by a prominent leftist also hopes to shake up the picture as the national government has squabbled its way to deep unpopularity.

For Germany — a country that knows something about how extremists can hijack a government — the surging popularity of the far right has forced an awkward question.

How far should a democracy go in restricting a party that many believe is bent on undermining it?

I am going through articles from various European newspapers discussing the Greek economy and the accomplishments of this nation and its people in recent years. One publication that particularly caught my attention was an article in Germany's mass-selling Bild newspaper.