Voters in two former East German states have begun casting their ballots in what is expected to be a pivotal election that could have significant implications for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The AfD is predicted to make substantial gains in this election, which could potentially make coalition building at the local level incredibly difficult for mainstream parties.
According to FRANCE 24 correspondent Aaron Tilton, an election victory for the AfD could lead to the formation of “strange bedfellows” from both the right and left of German politics in order to prevent the far-right party from gaining power. The outcomes of these elections are being closely watched as a bellwether for the federal elections in 2025.
The rise of the AfD in these elections signals a growing trend of far-right populism in Germany and raises concerns about the future political landscape in the country. As voters head to the polls, the results of these elections will likely have far-reaching implications for both local and national politics.
Overall, the state elections in Germany are shaping up to be a critical test of the political climate in the country and may provide important insights into the direction of German politics in the coming years.
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Video “State elections in Germany ‘bellwether’ of 2025 federal vote • FRANCE 24 English” was uploaded on 09/01/2024 to Youtube Channel FRANCE 24 English