Far-Right AfD Triples Support in German State Election

Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has more than tripled its vote share in elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, the country’s most populous state. The AfD secured 16.5% of the vote, up from 5.1% five years ago, placing it behind Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats (34%) and the Social Democrats (22.5%).
The results mark the AfD’s strongest performance yet in western Germany, giving its candidates a chance to advance to mayoral run-offs in several municipalities. The party’s gains came largely at the expense of the Greens and the Free Democrats, while the far-left Die Linke also improved its showing to 5.5%.
North Rhine-Westphalia is viewed as a political bellwether due to its size and diversity, with nearly 14 million eligible voters. The AfD’s surge reflects growing discontent over the economy, unemployment, and immigration, its core issue. Analysts warn that the party’s growing foothold in local politics could make it harder for mainstream parties to maintain their pledge of avoiding cooperation with the far right.