AfD party's landslide win in eastern Germany tests country's 'firewall' against the far right

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has secured a significant electoral victory in eastern Germany, marking a major milestone for the organization. Despite its status as a prominent political force established 13 years ago, the party has historically been excluded from all state and federal government coalitions.

This exclusion is attributed to a political consensus known as a firewall, which prevents other parties from cooperating with the AfD. The recent electoral results are now testing the durability and effectiveness of this long-standing barrier against the far-right party's integration into German governance.