OpinionIs Germany’s Firewall Collapsing?:
Jan-Werner Mueller explains how—and how not—to interpret the far right’s recent victories in state elections.
project-syndicate.org/commentary/germany-afd-first-in-state-elections-has-firewall-failed-by-jan-werner-mueller-2026-09
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Key FactsAfD Puts Germany’s Political Firewall Under Pressure
Oct 10, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
- Merz’s coalition with the Social Democrats is increasingly strained by policy disputes and declining poll numbers.
- Because the ballot was secret, suspicion focused on Saxony-Anhalt’s 15 CDU lawmakers told to abstain.
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Key FactsAfD Victory Tests Germany’s Firewall in Saxony-Anhalt
Sep 7, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ctvnews.ca
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: ctvnews.ca
- The AfD received 43.8% in Sunday’s election, more than double its support five years earlier.
- Mainstream parties still reject cooperation; Germany’s domestic intelligence agency classifies the AfD as extremist in some regions.
- AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund plans to approach all parties and individual lawmakers but rejects a minority government.
- BSW, which won 5.3%, signaled Monday that it was willing to help an AfD governor take office.
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