Saturday, October 17, 2026
World

A new divide in Germany

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A man casts his vote at a polling station during the Berlin state election in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Cover image: A man casts his vote at a polling station during the Berlin state election in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. AP Photo/Markus Schreiber – Markus Schreiber

Germany’s political landscape is shifting dramatically. After major gains for the far-right AfD in eastern state elections – and a surge by the left-wing Die Linke in Berlin – traditional parties are facing growing pressure. With France’s presidential election less than a year away and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen ahead in the polls, Germany’s upheaval raises questions about whether similar political shifts could soon be seen across the Rhine.