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Telegraph

Telegraph

How the ‘acceptable’ face of extremism is fuelling the rise of the Right in Germany

Telegraph
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AfD (Alternative für Deutschland ) leader in Germany ’s eastern Thuringia state could become the largest party in the Landtag , the state parliament.

The party has climbed even higher in the polls since the invasion of Ukraine , and now consistently polls at second place nationwide.

To critics, the AfD is the acceptable face of Right-wing extremism in Germany .

Thuringia state elections will be momentous for Germany , even though they only decide regional governments in three states.

Experts cite Germany ’s lingering post-war divide between the prosperous West and their heartlands of the former Communist east.

They say voters resent the abrupt end to cheap Russian gas which followed Vladimir Putin's invasion.

The AfD also faces intense opposition from grassroots, anti-extremism campaigners.

Ms Höcke would find it difficult to form a Thuringia government due to Germany ’s “ Brandmauer [firewall]”, a policy among traditional parties of never cooperating with the AfD.

She added that Mr Höckke would struggle to form government due.