Germany's AfD Surges Ahead of National Election

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has expressed strong support for Germany's far-right party, the AfD, praising its immigration policies ahead of Germany's national election on February 23, where the AfD is projected to secure about 20% of the vote. This endorsement comes as the German electorate remains polarized, with some viewing the AfD as a viable alternative for tougher immigration control, while others regard it as a danger to democracy. Mainstream parties, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats, continue to refuse coalition talks with the AfD, complicating its path to power even if it performs well. Additionally, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) is facing a precarious position in the lead-up to the election, polling at only 4%, which could see it excluded from the Bundestag, marking a significant decline from its previous performance. The FDP's struggles are attributed to the challenges of governance within its coalition, particularly following the fallout from the Ukraine crisis and internal disagreements over spending. As the election approaches, both the AfD and the FDP represent contrasting responses to Germany's political landscape and public sentiment on immigration and governance.