Germans head to polls as far-right sentiment rises and Trump returns to power

Germans voted on February 23 in a crucial election, with conservatives favored amid a rise in far-right sentiment and the return of Donald Trump as U.S. President. Friedrich Merz, the conservative frontrunner, aims to shift right to counter the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD). The election follows a political crisis after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition collapsed in November. The AfD is expected to achieve its best result yet, fueled by public concern over recent violent attacks linked to asylum seekers. Scholz will remain as caretaker until a new coalition is formed, which could take weeks. Voter turnout is significant, with over 59 million eligible to cast their ballots.