German anti-immigration party makes gains in 3 key states

World Today

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she’ll continue to push for a European solution to the refugee crisis. That’s despite poor results for her party in three state elections on Sunday, which saw a huge rise in popularity for a right wing anti-immigration party.

CCTV’s Guy Henderson reports from the German city of Magdeburg.

Despite a difficult night for Germany’s ruling Christian Democrats, few expected a sudden policy u-turn. And none came.

In some ways, the vote of protest against the government’s approach is historic.

The results of these three state elections mark the biggest success for the populist right here, since the fall of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II.

The anti-immigration Alternative For Germany party is now a significant opposition force.

But in Sachsen Anhalt, as in other states, established mainstream parties are scornful. Setting the scene for a fight to regain votes.

A majority may have lost faith in the Chancellor’s refugee plan. But some believe there is still time.

Though voters may have tightened the deadline for a breakthrough.

In just over 18 months’ time, Germany holds federal elections. And after this result, politicians are in no doubt about the public mood. In Berlin, the Chancellor maintains only a Europe-wide solution will ease public concerns. But at ground level, in towns like these, some within her own party are beginning to more openly disagree.


Germany issue expert Hope Harrison on German election

CCTV America’s Mike Walter interviewed Hope Harrison, the Associate Dean of History and International Affairs at George Washington University about German election.