Germans vote amid far-right surge and looming threats from Trump

Summary

Germans voted in a high-stakes election on February 23, with conservative Friedrich Merz poised to replace Chancellor Olaf Scholz amid a far-right surge.

The far-right, anti-immigration AfD is set for a record result, fueled by security concerns after attacks by asylum seekers.

The vote also unfolds amid tensions over US-Europe relations, as Trump signals a shift in NATO support.

If mainstream parties fail to counter far-right momentum now, analysts warn, the AfD may entirely dominate next time.