Germany’s political system is set up to exclude extremists. Yet the country is waking up to a new political reality that has lurched to the right with the once outcast Alternative for Germany (AfD) party now firmly established in German politics.

The success of the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is a sign of the times. Across Europe, far-right parties once on the fringe have gone mainstream.

The conservative CDU/CSU party has won the parliamentary elections in Germany. The leader of the formation, Friedrich Merz, is the main candidate for chancellor. During the campaign, the future head of the German government expressed support for closing the borders.

FDP has 'paid a high price' but 'remains a political factor' Germany's snap election on Sunday was called as a result of Christian Lindner's dismissal as finance minister in November, which led to the collapse of the coalition government led by Olaf Scholz and his Social Democrats (SPD).

He has vowed to prioritize European unity and the continent’s security as it grapples with the new Trump administration and Russia’s war on Ukraine.

An analysis of Germany’s election data shows that Sunday’s vote was historic for several reasons. Five key observations show how the country's politics are changing.

Sunday’s election comes as Germany and the rest of Europe grapple with the new Trump administration, the Russia-Ukraine war and security across the continent. Polls across Germany will close at 6 p.m.

Friedrich Merz's conservatives (CDU/CSU) are set to win Sunday’s national election in Germany, but in second place, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won its best result yet in Europe's ailing economic powerhouse.