The ‘Dark Past’ in Merkel’s Backyard
A tainted election victory for the German chancellor betrays the east-west divide in Europe.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Warsaw in February
Photographer: Kommersant Photo/KommersantThis article is for subscribers only.
The surge in support for Germany’s anti-immigrant party in weekend elections is a stark reminder of the fault line that cuts through the European Union.
Chancellor Angela Merkel starts a fourth term with her victory tainted by the far-right AfD entering parliament for the first time after a particularly strong showing in former East Germany. Next door, the Czechs look set to elect a populist leader who opposes further EU integration and links her open-door refugee policy to terrorism. Poland and Hungary already have governments that relish reminding their western allies that Donald Trump-style nationalism is anything but defeated.