Firewall compromised: has Friedrich Merz blown ‘democracy’s last shot’?

Germany’s political establishment is grappling with alarm over the far-right Alternative für Deutschland’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt, with analysts comparing the fallout to national disasters or existential threats. The landslide result has sparked fears of a reversal of Germany’s postwar democratic progress and the unraveling of its defenses against extremism. Commentators describe a mood of despair and powerlessness among leaders as they confront the potential consequences of the election. The win has reignited concerns about the fragility of Germany’s reunification and its long-standing political order.

Many fear chancellor is wrong man for the job at a time when Germany’s defences against far right are crumblingA cataclysm. A 9.0 earthquake. A five-alarm fire. A bitter rejection of Germany’s joyous reunification three decades ago, and a threat to the democratic postwar order.Sizing up the repercussions of last weekend’s win for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party in the former communist state of Saxony-Anhalt, German commentators expressed a sense of doom, panic and helplessness in the political establishment. Continue reading...