Germany’s firewall was meant to hold the far right at bay. It may have done the reverse

Germany faces a significant political shift as the far-right AfD party gains substantial support ahead of upcoming state elections. Analysts suggest that the traditional 'firewall' intended to isolate the party may have inadvertently increased its appeal among voters.
Why it matters
A potential electoral victory for the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt could dismantle the post-war political consensus in Germany and influence broader European political stability.
AfD co-leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel have a lot to smile about with their party riding high in the polls./Getty Images AfD co-leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel have a lot to smile about with their party riding high in the polls./Getty Images This Is Europe World news Germany’s firewall was meant to hold the far right at bay. It may have done the reverse An AfD win in next month’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt would shatter a decades-long political consensus and reverberate throughout the EU
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