Voters in Germany shift towards political extremes as centrist parties struggle

In Germany's recent election, centrist parties faced significant losses, with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) achieving its worst result at 16.4%. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) won with 28.5%, but this was still below expectations. The far-right Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) doubled its vote share to over 20%, becoming the second-largest party. The far-left Die Linke also gained support, rising to 8.8%, reflecting a shift towards political extremes among voters, especially the youth. The rise of these fringe parties is linked to intense debates on migration, which energized their supporters. The election results indicate a more fragmented political landscape in Germany, raising concerns about the future influence of extreme parties.