Topless protest marks opening of high-stakes German elections as AfD gains support

Polling stations opened in Germany today for a crucial election, with over 59 million eligible voters. A topless feminist protester from the group FEMEN demonstrated against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party outside the German embassy in Kyiv. Friedrich Merz, the frontrunner, has promised a rightward shift if elected, aiming to regain voters from the AfD, which is expected to achieve a record result amid rising tensions over immigration. Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz will remain in a caretaker role until a new government is formed. The election follows a political crisis that began when Scholz's coalition collapsed in November. The AfD has gained support due to public frustration over recent violent incidents involving asylum seekers, despite other parties vowing to keep it out of power.