Germany’s Merz vows to fight ‘extremism’ after AfD, far-left election gains

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to fight "extremism" following recent local election defeats to far-right and far-left parties. Merz stated that extremism is entering parliaments, citing the election of a far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) member as president of the state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt and the Left Party's victory in Berlin's state election. He criticized voting for the AfD as undermining credibility and incompatible with his party's values. The AfD, founded in 2013, has gained support, particularly in eastern Germany, by opposing immigration. These comments come as Merz's approval rating has reportedly sunk.

In Saxony-Anhalt, Tobias Rausch of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) was elected speaker of the state parliament on Tuesday, marking the first time a far-right party has held this position in Germany since World War II. Rausch secured 48 out of 82 votes cast. Later, Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, from the AfD's more extreme wing, was elected deputy speaker. The AfD, classified as right-wing extremist by the state's intelligence agency, won nearly 44% of votes in recent elections. The election of Rausch and Tillschneider was facilitated by the support of five MPs from the small leftwing BSW party, who stated it was time to abandon the "firewall" against the AfD. This development raises the possibility of the AfD forming a government in the state.

Tobias Rausch, a candidate from the far-right AfD party, has been elected speaker of the regional parliament in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. This marks the first time a far-right party has held this position since World War Two. Although the role is largely symbolic, Rausch's election is considered a significant development by opponents, who view it as a watershed moment and a crossing of a line. Rausch stated that "political firewalls" should be a thing of the past, rejecting a post-war consensus against working with the far right. The AfD is described as pro-Russian and anti-immigrant, and its members have been classified as "right-wing extremist" by domestic intelligence in Saxony-Anhalt.