Election Dynamics
Polls indicate a significant shift in 's political landscape, with the ruling and CDU expected to receive less than half the national vote for the first time since , highlighting the rise of smaller parties, including the far-right AfD.
The election is marked by intense focus on immigration, economic challenges, and foreign policy, particularly Germany's role in supporting and its relationship with the Trump administration.
International Influence and Domestic Response
U.S. figures like Vice President and have controversially endorsed the AfD, sparking criticism from both German left and right, and raising concerns over American influence in German politics.
Despite the AfD's rise, mainstream German parties, including the CDU under , have vowed not to form coalitions with it, emphasizing a commitment to Germany's democratic values and European unity.