Far-right’s victory in Merkel’s home sends shockwaves

In terms of symbolism, the AfD’s relegating the CDU to third place is a ​“political earthquake,” argued Thorsten Benner in an interview with RFI English on September 5. In post-election appearances on Deutsche Welle’s Morning Q&A and the Al Jazeera program Inside Story, also on September 5, he explained that despite internal conflict, the AfD is gaining popularity with its anti-refugee, anti-Islam platform. Following in the footsteps of all its major European neighbors, Germany will likely have a right-wing populist force in national parliament after the 2017 elections.