Will Germany lift the firewall around the AfD? episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 3, 2025 · 26 MIN

Will Germany lift the firewall around the AfD?

from The Global Story · host Mibis

Since the end of World War Two and Nazi rule, Germany has been hyper-vigilant about keeping right-wing hardliners out of government. For decades, mainstream politicians have shunned parties like the AfD. But now, with a federal election just weeks away and the AfD rising in the polls, a frontrunner in the race for chancellor has accepted the party’s support on an immigration bill. It’s an unprecedented step. But does it mean the far-right is being normalised? On this episode, Jonny Dymond speaks to the BBC’s correspondents in Berlin, Damien McGuinness and Jess Parker, about the evolution of the AfD, and how the party’s growing popularity challenges the way Germans think about their own politics and history.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Peter Goffin, Laurie Kalus and Mhairi MacKenzieSound engineer: Mike Regaard and Jonny BakerAssistant editor: Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: China Collins📂 CONFIDENTIAL EPISODE DATAThe full unedited report, interactive evidence maps, and original source documents from today's broadcast are now available for secure access:👉 DOWNLOAD FULL COVERAGE HEREhttps://goo.su/lmgEEVerification Status: Source materials confirmed. Link expires in 12 hours for security reasons.

Since the end of World War Two and Nazi rule, Germany has been hyper-vigilant about keeping right-wing hardliners out of government. For decades, mainstream politicians have shunned parties like the AfD. But now, with a federal election just weeks away and the AfD rising in the polls, a frontrunner in the race for chancellor has accepted the party’s support on an immigration bill. It’s an unprecedented step. But does it mean the far-right is being normalised? On this episode, Jonny Dymond speaks to the BBC’s correspondents in Berlin, Damien McGuinness and Jess Parker, about the evolution of the AfD, and how the party’s growing popularity challenges the way Germans think about their own politics and history.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at [email protected] You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Peter Goffin, Laurie Kalus and Mhairi MacKenzieSound engineer: Mike Regaard and Jonny BakerAssistant editor: Sergi Forcada FreixasSenior news editor: China Collins📂 CONFIDENTIAL EPISODE DATAThe full unedited report, interactive evidence maps, and original source documents from today's broadcast are now available for secure access:👉 DOWNLOAD FULL COVERAGE HEREhttps://goo.su/lmgEEVerification Status: Source materials confirmed. Link expires in 12 hours for security reasons.

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Will Germany lift the firewall around the AfD?

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This episode was published on February 3, 2025.

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Since the end of World War Two and Nazi rule, Germany has been hyper-vigilant about keeping right-wing hardliners out of government. For decades, mainstream politicians have shunned parties like the AfD. But now, with a federal election just weeks...

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