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.

While the far right made historic gains in Germany's elections on Sunday, Conservative politician Friedrich Merz won with nearly 29% of the vote.

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.

What is Germany's 'debt brake?' In Germany, the federal government and the 16 states (Länder) are obliged to balance their budgets and are practically prohibited from taking out extra loans. No other G7 country has such strict limits on new borrowing.

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.

A senior member of Germany's conservative bloc has called on the Social Democrats to put party interests behind those of the country, as both parties are widely expected to begin talks on forming the next government.

Incumbent German chancellor and SPD candidate Olaf Scholz called the outcome of the general election in Germany on Sunday (February 23) “a bitter result” and a defeat for his party. Could these jumping mice change how astronauts exercise?

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