Far-right AfD candidate loses mayoral race in Germany's Nordhausen

In the mayoral election in Nordhausen, Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) candidate, Joerg Prophet, lost to the incumbent mayor Kai Buchmann. Despite the loss, the election highlighted the increasing influence of the AfD and the normalization of far-right rhetoric in Germany. The AfD has gained support by capitalizing on frustration with the government's climate and energy policies, as well as concerns about migration. The party's strength in eastern Germany has prompted discussions among other parties about whether to cooperate with it. The prospect of an AfD mayor in Nordhausen, a city known for its Nazi concentration camp, raised concerns among Holocaust survivors and those working to combat discrimination. With upcoming state-level elections in 2024, there is increasing pressure on other political parties to combat the rise of the AfD.