Germany's far-right AfD wins first state election, shaking European politics
Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party won a state election in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, a historic first that has sparked concern across Europe about the future of democracy in the region. The victory is seen as a boost for right-wing parties across Europe, which are gaining ground amid public frustration over inflation and rising costs. France's Marine Le Pen is a strong contender in next year's presidential election, while Nigel Farage's Reform UK recently outperformed major parties in local polls. However, the trend is not uniform. Hungary's right-wing government lost power in April after 16 years, showing that voter anger can also unseat established right-wing parties when they fail to address everyday problems.