SZ podcast “Auf den Punkt”: Federal election: Why the AfD performed so well in the East

The AfD 's share of the vote doubled in the federal election. It performed particularly well in eastern Germany , where it was the strongest force in every federal state except Berlin. It received around 40 percent of the first votes.

Iris Mayer, SZ correspondent for the eastern German states, says that the AfD has long been a popular party in the east. On the other hand, however, it is not a completely eastern German phenomenon. If the new government does not solve the economic and social problems, the party could also record similar election results in the west in the future.

Further news: Resolution in the UN Security Council, proposal for special funds for the Bundeswehr.

For further reading: You can read the short portraits of the new members of the Bundestag here.

Moderation, editorial team: Leopold Zaak

Editors: Lars Langenau, Nadja Schlüter

Production: Jonathan Brandis

Quoted and additional audio via Reuters.

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