The Global Story - Will Germany lift the firewall around the AfD?
Download Will Germany lift the firewall around the AfD?
Since the end of World War Two and Nazi rule, Germany has been hyper-vigilant about keeping right-wing hardliners out of government. For decades, mainstream politicians have shunned parties like the AfD. But now, with a federal election just weeks away and the AfD rising in the polls, a frontrunner in the race for chancellor has accepted the party’s support on an immigration bill. It’s an unprecedented step. But does it mean the far-right is being normalised?
On this episode, Jonny Dymond speaks to the BBC’s correspondents in Berlin, Damien McGuinness and Jess Parker, about the evolution of the AfD, and how the party’s growing popularity challenges the way Germans think about their own politics and history.
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Producers: Peter Goffin, Laurie Kalus and Mhairi MacKenzie
Sound engineer: Mike Regaard and Jonny Baker
Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas
Senior news editor: China Collins
Published on Monday, 3rd February 2025.
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