The Rightist tilt in Germany’s Politics

Why in news?

• The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Chancellor Angela Merkel has polled the most votes in German national elections.
• However, the biggest event was the entry of the rightist AfD into the politics mainstream.

What are the highlights of this election?

• While the CDU has emerged as the single largest party its vote share reduced considerably.
• As the most popular leader of the single largest party, Ms. Merkel would most likely get a 4^th straight term. 
• The rightist ‘Alternative for Germany-AfD’ polled about 13% votes, increasing its vote share by 8%.
•  It is touted to become the first rightist party to enter Bundestag (Germany Parliament) since 2^nd world war.
• AfD has also becomes the third largest party in the German parliament next only to CDU & SPD - (Social Democrats).
• As CDU & SDP have been allies for the past two elections, AfD is expected to dominate the opposition space. 

What is the agenda of AfD?

• It was founded in 2012 as a reaction to the Eurozone policies.
• It has a strong presence among Euro sceptics and neo-Nazis.
• Islamophobia and anti-immigration stance is the ideological nucleus around which its current politics is centred.
• The rise of the AfD had previously forced Ms.Merkel to soften her position on open borders.
• AfD’s attitude towards Indian immigrants has largely been positive as they aren’t perceived as a threat to the German Social Fabric. 

Source: Indian Express