Germany faces violence and political turmoil ahead of elections

Germany's upcoming elections have been marked by violence and political turmoil. A series of attacks, including a deadly Christmas market incident and a knife attack on children, have intensified debates on immigration and security, impacting public sentiment. The ruling coalition's collapse has led to a controversial parliamentary motion supporting stricter asylum rules, backed by the far-right AfD. This has broken a long-standing political barrier in Germany, prompting protests and criticism from former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Additionally, Donald Trump's re-election has raised concerns about the future of the transatlantic alliance. His administration's support for the AfD and criticism of Germany's policies have added to the tension in the lead-up to the elections.