Far-right AfD party gains first county leadership post in Germany.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has won its first head of a county administration in a rural eastern region, reflecting the party's rising popularity and support at record levels in national polls. The win in Sonneberg county is a symbolic milestone for AfD, which has been campaigning strongly against migration and German support for Ukraine. However, the party has faced increasing scrutiny from Germany's domestic intelligence agency due to multiple antisemitism scandals within the party and remarks by prominent AfD members that were seen to glorify Germany's Nazi past.