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Image: Daniel Lakomski/IMAGOImage: Daniel Lakomski/IMAGO

Regional elections in Saxony, Brandenburg and Thuringia

Voters go to the polls in three eastern German states in September in what is seen as the last test before general elections in 2025. Populist and far-right parties are set to do well.

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Friedrich Merz (r) and Mario Voigt attends a CDU rally

Friedrich Merz (r) and Mario Voigt attends a CDU rally

Germany: In Thuringia, Merz repeats CDU won't ally with AfD

The CDU leader Friedrich Merz is touring eastern states ahead of votes where the far-right AfD is likely to fare well.

Reinhard Schramm, head of the Jewish community Erfurt

Reinhard Schramm, head of the Jewish community Erfurt

Rise of far-right AfD worries Thuringia’s Jewish community

The far-right AfD is on track to win 3 state elections in September. Erfurt’s Jewish community fears history repeating.

Martin Schirdewan and Janine Wissler

Martin Schirdewan and Janine Wissler

Germany's Left Party on the brink of oblivion

The most important socialist voice in the country's political landscape is struggling for survival.

AfD campaign poster reading 'It is time for peace'

AfD campaign poster reading 'It is time for peace'

Foreign policy shapes regional elections in eastern Germany

Many East Germans voters are skeptical about support for Ukraine and the stationing of US missiles in Germany.

Deutschland Brandenburg Kundgebung der AfD

Deutschland Brandenburg Kundgebung der AfD

Germany: Fear of the AfD

Foreign students in Cottbus are choosing to live in protected communities because they fear attacks.

A black and white image of the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate in December 1968

A black and white image of the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate in December 1968

Three reasons the past still shapes eastern Germany today

The popularity of the far-right AfD party among East German voters hints at a deep rift 35 years after reunification.

Vorschaubild Explainer Wie tickt der Osten?

Vorschaubild Explainer Wie tickt der Osten?

Why is the far-right AfD so powerful in eastern Germany?

Why is the far-right AfD so powerful in eastern Germany?

Relatives of the Palestinians died in Israeli attacks, mourn as they receive the dead bodies from the morgue of Al-Aqsa Hospital

Relatives of the Palestinians died in Israeli attacks, mourn as they receive the dead bodies from the morgue of Al-Aqsa Hospital

Middle East: Germany, France, UK demand 'urgent' cease-fire

The three European states have called for an immediate halt to fighting in Gaza and warned Iran against escalation.

The defendant on trial in the Berlin courtroom, using a file to obscue his face, on March 14, 2024.

The defendant on trial in the Berlin courtroom, using a file to obscue his face, on March 14, 2024.

Germany: Stasi murder in Berlin 50 years ago on trial

The 1974 shooting of a Polish man at a Berlin border crossing in broad daylight was a high profile case at the time.

Adeline Abimnwi Awemo speaking to media after she was attacked

Adeline Abimnwi Awemo speaking to media after she was attacked

German CDU candidate attacked, racially abused on campaign

Adeline Abimnwi Awemo, who was born in Cameroon, is a candidate in the upcoming Brandenburg state election.

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Scholz launches regional election campaign

In the east German state of Saxony, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is ahead in the polls.

President Joe Biden, left, greet Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

President Joe Biden, left, greet Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

Germany split on US stationing long-range cruise missiles

The announcement that the United States will station long-range missiles in Germany has split opinions in Berlin.

A seated person holds two small flags, one of Germany and one of the AfD party

A seated person holds two small flags, one of Germany and one of the AfD party

Germany's far-right AfD riding high despite setbacks

The AfD is riding high following recent electoral successes — despite a series of scandals.

Björn Höcke sitting in court on Monday, June 24

Björn Höcke sitting in court on Monday, June 24

Germany: AfD's Höcke in court over second use of Nazi slogan

Far-right AfD politician Björn Höcke is accused — for a second time — of knowingly using a Nazi slogan.

Nico Köhler next to an 'anti woke' election campaign poster

Nico Köhler next to an 'anti woke' election campaign poster

Chemnitz: A stronghold of Germany's far-right AfD

The far-right AfD has become the strongest political force even in Chemnitz, this year's European Capital of Culture.

Sahra Wagenknecht stands and smiles among a few other people

Sahra Wagenknecht stands and smiles among a few other people

How German politics could be reshaped by the BSW party

Germany's populist BSW presented a challenge to the far-right AfD in the recent European Parliament elections.

Sahra Wagenknecht and her BSW allies jubilant on Sunday evening

Sahra Wagenknecht and her BSW allies jubilant on Sunday evening

Germany's new populists BSW challenge the far-right AfD

The BSW party took over 6% of the German vote in the EU election. Analysts say the far-right AfD should be most worried.

AfD candidates celebrate on election night

AfD candidates celebrate on election night

Far-right AfD strong in eastern Germany, among young voters

The party capitalized on disontent with Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government and ran a successful social media campaign.

The official mascot of UEFA EURO 2024 stands by the trophy

The official mascot of UEFA EURO 2024 stands by the trophy

Euro 2024: The west continues to dominate German sports

Of the 10 cities hosting matches for the European Football Championship, only one is located in former East Germany.

Deutschland Magdeburg | AfD Mitglied Maximilian Krah

Deutschland Magdeburg | AfD Mitglied Maximilian Krah

Germany’s AfD party and its ties to Russia

Why it’s view of Russia is becoming a liability for the AfD?

An election poster showing a cat

An election poster showing a cat

EU election: Who are the small parties striving for votes?

Here are some of the renegades, revolutionaries, and single-issue campaigners vying for votes on June 9 in Germany.

left to right: AfD top candidate for EU election Maximilian Krah, AfD co-chair Tino Chrupalla, AfD co-chair Alice Weidel during a press conference

left to right: AfD top candidate for EU election Maximilian Krah, AfD co-chair Tino Chrupalla, AfD co-chair Alice Weidel during a press conference

Germany: Far-right AfD stumbles ahead of EU election

The Alternative for Germany has seen turbulent weeks. But the party's core support remains unaffected by the scandals.

Doku Im Einsatz für die NATO

Doku Im Einsatz für die NATO

Defending NATO borders in Eastern Europe

Keeping the war in eastern Europe away from NATO borders is one of the German Bundeswehr’s jobs.

Björn Höcke points upwards whilst on stage

Björn Höcke points upwards whilst on stage

Germany: Court fines AfD politician Höcke over Nazi slogan

Far-right politician Björn Höcke, a former history teacher, denied during the trial knowing the origin of the slogan.

Germany's far-right AfD under mounting pressure

Pressure is now mounting for the party to be banned.

Police officers stand guard in front of activists at Tesla factory in Grünheide, Germany

Police officers stand guard in front of activists at Tesla factory in Grünheide, Germany

Berlin Tesla activists say civil disobedience is only option

Police are braced for further protests against expansion at the Tesla factory site in Grünheide near Berlin.

Protesters running past a police officer

Protesters running past a police officer

Protesters attempt to storm Tesla's factory near Berlin

A police spokesperson said the situation remained "dynamic."

Matthias Ecke speaks during an SPD party conference

Matthias Ecke speaks during an SPD party conference

Germany: SPD's EU election candidate attacked in Dresden

A German politician suffered broken bones and was hospitalized after being attacked in the eastern state of Saxony.

A person holding a TV camera against a backdrop which reads Alternative fuer Deutschland

A person holding a TV camera against a backdrop which reads Alternative fuer Deutschland

Far-right AfD: How should German media deal with the party?

Whether public or private, German media outlets have struggled to find a way to report about the far-right party.

Grünheide Proteste gegen Erweiterung Tesla-Fabrik

Grünheide Proteste gegen Erweiterung Tesla-Fabrik

Battling Tesla's Gigafactory

Tesla builds its best-selling electric car in Brandenburg, Germany. Environmentalists are protesting the expansion.

Why German media's relationship with far right is difficult

How should Germany's traditional media deal with the far-right Alternative for Germany? Expose the party, or ignore it?

Suspected terrorist and RAF member Daniela Klette.

Suspected terrorist and RAF member Daniela Klette.

Germany's RAF terror: Will new arrest answer old questions?

After Daniela Klette's arrest, investigators are hoping for new insights into crimes committed by the Red Army Faction.

Thuringia's AfD leader Björn Höcke (left) and CDU leader Mario Voigt clashed on television.

Thuringia's AfD leader Björn Höcke (left) and CDU leader Mario Voigt clashed on television.

Germany: State CDU, AfD leaders clash in Thuringia TV duel

The state leaders of the conservative CDU and the far-right AfD in Thuringia traded accusations in a TV debate.

Pictures of victims of Berlin Wall, including Czeslaw Kukuczka (middle)

Pictures of victims of Berlin Wall, including Czeslaw Kukuczka (middle)

Ex-Stasi officer faces charges in 1974 Berlin border killing

An 80-year-old ex-employee of the former East German secret police is charged with killing Polish man Czeslaw Kukuczka.

A white-haired man in a warm gray coat stands at the entrance to his wooden house

A white-haired man in a warm gray coat stands at the entrance to his wooden house

Local lawmakers increasingly insulted, threatened, attacked

Local politicians are facing insults, slander and even death threats. Some of the lawmakers, serving mostly honorary positions, want to give up — a problem for German democracy.

The PCK oil refinery in Schwedt, Germany, seen at night

The PCK oil refinery in Schwedt, Germany, seen at night

Germany tells Rosneft 'find buyer or lose refinery'

Berlin has renewed threats to expropriate Rosneft's Schwedt refinery in eastern Germany if it fails to find a buyer with

Olaf Scholz stands in the otherwise empty cargo bay of a converted Airbus plane, gesturing wide with both hands, at the Elbe Aircraft Factory in Dresden. February 29, 2024.

Olaf Scholz stands in the otherwise empty cargo bay of a converted Airbus plane, gesturing wide with both hands, at the Elbe Aircraft Factory in Dresden. February 29, 2024.

Germany: Olaf Scholz visits Saxony, a far-right stronghold

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is visiting the capital of Saxony ahead of a vote that has Germany's mainstream parties on alert.

A man in a group of protesters holds up a protest sign, a red stop sign with the words "Stop Nazis"

A man in a group of protesters holds up a protest sign, a red stop sign with the words "Stop Nazis"

East Germans take a stand against the far right

As Germany sees an ongoing wave of protests against the far right, new alliances are emerging in the east.

Uwe Thrum of the AFD

Uwe Thrum of the AFD

AfD loses run-off in first vote since mass-deportation story

AfD has been the target of massive protests of late after a damning expose was published about its plans for governing.

Björn Höcke

Björn Höcke

Could a 'fascist' soon head a German state government?

Björn Höcke, leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany in the eastern state of Thuringia is set to take the reins.

Sahra Wagenknecht with her lips pursed while speaking in front of a blue background at a press conference in Berlin

Sahra Wagenknecht with her lips pursed while speaking in front of a blue background at a press conference in Berlin

Germany: Sahra Wagenknecht launches new political party

It aims to defy labels with a mix of left-leaning economic, conservative migration, and pro-Russian foreign policies.