Part 2/7:
Perhaps the most notable development is the electoral success of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which secured over 20% of the votes. This marks a substantial increase from their previous performance, effectively doubling their voter base. The AfD's rise signifies a notable challenge to the traditional political landscape, especially as they have been often characterized by their nationalist and anti-immigrant sentiments. However, it’s essential to contextualize the party; equating the AfD with more extreme groups, such as neo-Nazis, can be misleading, as the party captures a broad spectrum of conservative voters.