CCISSGO-24

FAR-RIGHT SUPPORT SURGES IN GERMANY'S NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA ELECTIONS: WHAT IT MEANS FOR EUROPE Germany has once again found itself at the center of Europe’s political spotlight. Today, voters in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the country’s most populous state, delivered a stunning result in local elections. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right party long considered controversial, surged dramatically—more than tripling its support compared to the last election in 2020. According to early forecasts, AfD secured around 16.5% of the vote. This is a major leap from its single-digit performance five years ago and represents one of its strongest results in Western Germany, a region where the party has historically struggled. Meanwhile, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) maintained its dominance, winning around 34% of the vote and retaining its position as the largest party. The Social Democrats (SPD) came in second place, but with a notable...