Indeed, despite the AfD’s minority appeal—the party’s blatant ethnic nationalism has appalled most Germans, though it’s delighted many others—it’s captured extensive media attention, voters, and power since its formation in 2013. In the process, it’s also weakened Chancellor Angela Merkel’s influence on politics, with Merkel recently delivering the surprise announcement that she’s stepping down as the chief of her party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and that she won’t seek re-election in 2021.

Find the article on the New America website.