What's happened
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany faces mounting pressure after his coalition parties suffered significant losses in the European Parliament elections. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured second place, prompting calls for new elections. In France, President Macron announced a snap election following the strong performance of the far-right National Rally.
What's behind the headline?
What the papers say
According to The New York Times, the defeat in the European Parliament elections has left Chancellor Scholz as a diminished leader, facing calls for new federal elections. Politico highlights the stark split screen faced by Germans, with Chancellor Scholz's government under pressure after the far-right AfD's strong showing. The Independent points out the dismal results for Germany's governing parties and the enduring appeal of the far-right AfD to unsettled voters.
How we got here
Chancellor Scholz's coalition government in Germany has faced challenges in maintaining popularity and unity. The rise of the far-right AfD reflects a broader trend of rightward political shifts across Europe. In France, President Macron's decision to call a snap election follows a victory for right-wing parties in the EU elections, adding to the political turbulence in the region.
Go deeper
- What impact could the rise of far-right parties have on future elections in Germany?
- How are other European countries responding to the success of right-wing parties in the EU elections?
- What strategies might Chancellor Scholz employ to address the challenges posed by the election results?
Common question
More on these topics
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Olaf Scholz is a German politician serving as Federal Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor under Chancellor Angela Merkel since 14 March 2018.
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Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central and Western Europe. Covering an area of 357,022 square kilometres, it lies between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south.
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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Alternative for Germany is a right-wing to far-right political party in Germany. Founded in April 2013, the AfD narrowly missed the 5% electoral threshold to sit in the Bundestag during the 2013 federal election.
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Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.