Germany's far-right AfD nominates chancellor candidate ahead of election

7/12/2024 14:21

Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) will nominate on Saturday its first chancellor candidate in its 11-year history ahead of a snap election set for February as the far-right party increasingly sets its sights on power.



The party, which ranks second in opinion polls behind the main opposition conservatives but well ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats, is expected to nominate co-leader Alice Weidel as chancellor candidate.



The AFD, which authorities suspect of pursuing anti-democratic goals, is not likely to form part of a governing coalition any time soon given other parties have ruled out working with it.



But the AfD's electoral successes are increasing pressure on the conservatives in particular to drop their firewall with the party and consider a right-wing coalition, especially given the weakness of their erstwhile traditional partner, the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP).



Far-right parties have gained traction across Europe in recent years, also coming to power in Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland.