Germany's far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), is facing a series of challenges that are impacting its political standing. Recent espionage scandals involving accusations of Chinese and Russian influence have significantly hurt the party's campaign for the European Parliament elections, with its support dropping to 16% as of April 30th, down from 23% in December, and far below the CDU/CSU's ratings. Additionally, German prosecutors have ordered a search of the Brussels offices of AfD MEP Maximilian Krah and his assistant over allegations of spying for China. This comes at a time when the party had gained popularity, especially among Germany's youth, becoming the most favored party for Germans under 30. Meanwhile, Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is reportedly shifting to the right in the post-Merkel era.
Police search the European Parliament offices used by AlfD lawmaker Maximilian Krah and an assistant who's accused of spying for China https://t.co/5F0HSPJ8Dt
Police raid far-right German MEP’s office in China espionage probe https://t.co/1PKl0e0qXA
The far-right Alternative for Germany was in the ascendant last year, when it became the second-most popular party in polls. That momentum has now stalled — here's why https://t.co/bLRoN24y8Z
⚠️ GERMAN FAR-RIGHT MEP OFFICE IN BRUSSELS SEARCHED OVER CHINA SPYING ACCUSATIONS Full Story → https://t.co/uDKkOf5xIM German prosecutors ordered a search of the Brussels offices of a member of the European Parliament for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on Tuesday… https://t.co/No2eMXBmsr
Germany’s youth swing to the right: Anti-immigration AfD becomes no. 1 party for Germans under 30 https://t.co/yjJVS2022b via @RMXnews
🇩🇪 - Espionage scandals are hurting Germany’s far right • Charges of Chinese & Russian influence are marring AfD’s campaign for European parliament elections • Party’s support stood at just 16% on April 30th, down from 23% in December and far below CDU/CSU https://t.co/PrweXDOT8b
How Germany’s CDU is tacking rightward post-Merkel https://t.co/u6A8xpBaZL
“This creates a climate that makes this party toxic,” @Dieter_Stein, editor-in-chief of Germany's @Junge_Freiheit, discusses the potential of an AfD ban, the growing success of his media outlet, and the top issues that unite and divide conservatives. https://t.co/IdS7r9Zu26