German far-right leader defends party amid rising popularity ahead of election

Beatrix Von Storch, a leader of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), denied claims that her party's views on EU integration and gender make them comparable to Nazis. She expressed anger over such comparisons while campaigning in East Berlin. Despite criticism labeling the AfD as a threat to democracy, the party's popularity has surged ahead of the upcoming General Election. Polls indicate the AfD could secure nearly a quarter of the Bundestag, a significant increase since they first won seats in 2017. Mainstream parties have maintained a policy of not cooperating with the AfD, but this stance may face challenges if the party wins a substantial number of seats. External pressure, including from the U.S., has also emerged regarding this policy.