Rise of the far right in Germany: how worried should we be? – The Latest

In this episode of The Guardian's Today in Focus, Lucy Hough interviews Deborah Cole about the recent disastrous local election results for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. His CDU party faced unprecedented losses, including falling below the 5% threshold in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a shocking outcome considering the party's historical prominence under Angela Merkel.

The conversation highlights the rise of the Alternative for Deutschland (AFD), a far-right party gaining traction among voters disillusioned with the status quo and struggling with economic issues. Cole explains that the AFD has become a refuge for the disaffected electorate, especially in the former East Germany, where citizens feel overlooked by mainstream parties.

Merz's poor approval ratings, the worst for any German chancellor, are attributed to his leadership style and the challenging economic climate. Despite a series of electoral setbacks, he vows to continue his role, though constitutional barriers make it difficult to remove a chancellor against their will. The episode concludes with a grim outlook on Europe's political landscape, where the rise of far-right parties could have significant implications.