Immigration and an ailing economy dominate Germany’s election as far right eyes gains

Forming a coalition is likely to be very difficult indeed,

said Jacob Ross, a researcher at the German Council on Foreign Relations

I hope we don't slide too far to the right and that we can form a strong counterweight to America,

he said

Nobody expects the AfD to form a government this election,

Busch said

Marina Weisbandgerman author, psychologist and former politician

We think it’s unthinkable that fascism could return to Europe, but it has — it’s here,

said Marina Weisband, a prominent activist, author and psychologist

Marina Weisbandgerman author, psychologist and former politician

The established parties have no answers,

added Weisband, founding director of Aula, a project to strengthen democracy education in German schools

Will the Americans still be there?”

he told the Darmstadt event

I hope that it [the U.S] remains a democracy and does not slide into an authoritarian populist system,

Merz told a campaign event in Darmstadt on Thursday

They have slowly but surely crept up in the opinion polls,

he added