Germany's firewall against far-right AfD shows strain

· Politics · Germany

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's warning that extremism was entering Germany's parliamentary system was the latest sign that mainstream parties' 'firewall' to isolate the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has begun to buckle. The dynamic reflects the erosion of the political cordon sanitaire across Europe, where far-right parties are gaining ground and mainstream parties face pressure over migration, energy and economic policy. How Germany handles the AfD will shape the country's political stability and its role in Europe.

Why it matters：The weakening of Germany's anti-far-right firewall could reshape European politics and policy at a time of economic and security strain.

Key points

  • Merz warned that extremism was entering Germany's parliamentary system.
  • The 'firewall' isolating the AfD has begun to buckle, per the report.
  • The trend reflects broader far-right gains across Europe.

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day