Germany’s Christian Democrats struggle against populists in the east
The Alternative for Germany will run them close in Saxony-Anhalt’s election
THE SMALL east German state of Saxony-Anhalt is run by a so-called “Kenya” coalition, comprising three parties whose colours match that country’s flag: the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), the Social Democrats and the Greens. But so bad is the infighting it should be named after the similar hues of Afghanistan’s flag, chuckles Oliver Kirchner, local head of the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Deny the Alternative”
Europe June 5th 2021
- Germany’s Christian Democrats struggle against populists in the east
- A Christian, a Jew and a Muslim walk into the same house of worship...
- Europe’s vaccination campaign has gathered pace, though not everywhere
- A law to break the Mafia’s code of silence lets a killer go free
- An interview with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky
- The era of small-state privilege in Europe is coming to an end
From the June 5th 2021 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Europe
Meet Europe’s Gaullists, Atlanticists, denialists and Putinists
As Donald Trump returns, so do Europe’s old schisms over how to defend itself
Inside Europe, border checks are creeping back
Voters and politicians are worried about unauthorised migrants
The EU is worried about sensitive exports to competitors and foes
A lot of bureaucracy will ensue
A day of drama in the Bundestag
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s probable next chancellor, takes a huge bet and triggers uproar
Amid talk of a ceasefire, Ukraine’s front line is crumbling
An ominous defeat in the eastern town of Velyka Novosilka
The French government’s survival is now in Socialist hands
Moderates attempt to move away from the radicals