Germany's next government likely to exclude far-right AfD party from coalition

Germany's next government will likely be a coalition excluding the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Despite strong early polling, all mainstream parties refuse to include the AfD, maintaining a "firewall" against extremist groups. The AfD's exclusion stems from its classification as extreme by German intelligence and past legal violations by some members. This approach reflects Germany's post-World War II efforts to prevent extremist parties from gaining power. Political leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the firewall, even as the AfD's support grows. If the party performs significantly better than expected, it may challenge the current political consensus on its exclusion.