"Populist Wave Sweeps Bavaria: German Parties Face Reckoning"

Populism is dominating the campaign for the upcoming Bavarian state election, with Markus Söder of the Christian Social Union (CSU) and Hubert Aiwanger of the Free Voters (FW) employing populist tactics to appeal to voters. Söder, the current state premier, presents himself as a populist and emphasizes his love for Bavarian food and culture. Aiwanger, the deputy state premier, has gained popularity with his "beer tent speeches" and rhetoric about "taking back democracy." The CSU/FW coalition, though strained, is expected to continue, as Söder aims to prevent losing more CSU voters to the right. The Greens and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) are also competing for support in Bavaria.