Christian Democrats win German election as far-right AfD sees significant growth

The conservative Christian Democrats won Germany's recent election, with Friedrich Merz set to become chancellor. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) came in second, doubling its vote share to 20.6%. Progressives in the U.K. and U.S. view the AfD's growth as a warning. They emphasize the need for political parties to address working-class concerns rather than focusing on austerity and anti-immigration policies. AfD's campaign centered on anti-immigration rhetoric, gaining support from figures like Elon Musk. Despite losing, the party's increased vote share raises concerns about the rise of far-right extremism in Germany.