The AfD's Surprising Success: From Local Elections to Mayoral Office

The rise of Germany's right-wing party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), can be attributed to the leftward shift of the CDU's Christian conservatives under Angela Merkel, leaving a void for voters seeking a conservative alternative. While the current coalition government dismisses the AfD as a "populist bad-mood party," a significant portion of the electorate is dissatisfied with the established parties and sees the AfD as a voice of protest. The decline of traditional parties' support base has contributed to the AfD's rise, and although it may not have majority support, it holds real political power in a fragmented political landscape.