German state elections: Success for right-wing AfD, losses for Merkel’s CDU

Official results showed significant success for the populist right-wing AfD in three key state elections in Germany held on the 13 March 2016. Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU saw losses in two out of three states, attributed to her refugee policies.

Politico suggested that the the results would have profound political implications for the Chancellor both in Germany and Europe.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Merkel under pressure as regional campaigns enter home straight http://www.europeansources.info/record/merkel-under-pressure-as-regional-campaigns-enter-home-straight/

EurActiv, 14.03.16: Merkel suffers blow in regional elections, while right-wing AfD surges http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/merkels-cdu-suffers-blow-in-regional-elections-while-right-wing-afd-surges/

EUObserver, 14.03.16: Big gains for German anti-migration party https://euobserver.com/political/132668

Politico, 13.03.16: 5 takeaways from Merkel’s election drubbing http://www.politico.eu/article/5-takeaways-from-angela-merkels-election-drubbing-german-regional-elections/

The Local.de, 13.03.16: Merkel blamed as populists surge across Germany http://www.thelocal.de/20160313/merkel-gets-the-blame-as-germany-faces-up-to-rise-of-populists

France24, 13.03.16: Germany's Merkel suffers election setback after nationalist surge http://www.france24.com/en/20160313-merkel-faces-election-setback-amid-nationalist-surge-germany

BBC News, 14.03.16: Angela Merkel's CDU suffers German state election setbacks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35796831

The Guardian, 14.03.16: German elections: setbacks for Merkel's CDU as anti-refugee AfD makes big gains http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/13/anti-refugee-party-makes-big-gains-in-german-state-elections

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2016: Shift to right in German state elections http://www.eurotopics.net/en/155618/shift-to-right-in-german-state-elections

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 14.03.16: Germany’s state elections: The rise of the AfD and the vicious circle of grand coalition politics http://bit.ly/1LlVt6f

The Economist, 13.03.16: Elections in Germany. Three regional elections have radically changed Germany’s political landscape http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21694704-good-night-incumbents-and-xenophobes-three-regional-elections-have-radically-changed

Spiegel Online International, 14.03.16: Germany's Election Hangover: The Right Wing Takes Flight http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/right-wing-populist-afd-does-well-in-german-state-votes-a-1082254.html

Deutsche Welle, 14.03.16: Germany assesses shake-up following election gains for AfD http://dw.com/p/1ICir

The Local.de, 14.03.16: Merkel to stick to refugee policy despite election defeat http://www.thelocal.de/20160314/merkel-to-stick-to-refugee-policy-despite-election-defeat

BBC News, 14.03.16: Migrant crisis: Merkel says vote a 'difficult day' for her party http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35802844

The Conversation, 14.03.16: German election: is this really a verdict on Merkel’s open door to refugees? https://theconversation.com/german-election-is-this-really-a-verdict-on-merkels-open-door-to-refugees-56174

EurActiv, 15.03.16: Germany’s AfD now stresses financial credentials and TTIP opposition http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/germanys-afd-now-stresses-financial-credentials-and-ttip-opposition/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 14.03.16: The Alternative Germany http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=63027

ESO: Background information: Merkel's Humane Refugee Policies Have Failed / Merkel defends her refugee policy / Merkel's approval ratings improve / For Merkel, No Turning Back http://www.europeansources.info/record/opinion-merkels-humane-refugee-policies-have-failed-merkel-defends-her-refugee-policy-merkels-approval-ratings-improve-for-merkel-no-turning-back/

Blog: Open Europe, 15.03.16: The AfD had a great night, but Angela Merkel doesn’t need to panic just yet http://openeurope.org.uk/impact/the-afd-had-a-great-night-but-angela-merkel-doesnt-need-to-panic-just-yet/

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2016: Europe alarmed over shift to the right in Germany http://www.eurotopics.net/en/155618/europe-alarmed-over-shift-to-the-right-in-germany

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 17.03.16: What do the German state elections tell us about the state of the country’s parties? http://bit.ly/1MnJAHE

Politico, 18.03.16: [Opinion]: 3 reasons why Angela Merkel won’t change on migration http://www.politico.eu/article/3-reasons-why-angela-merkel-wont-change-on-migration-afd-germany/

ESO: Background information: State elections in Germany – the CDU is weakened and Merkel is strengthened http://www.europeansources.info/record/state-elections-in-germany-the-cdu-is-weakened-and-merkel-is-strengthened/

Berlin Policy Journal, 17.03.16: Still in Control http://berlinpolicyjournal.com/still-in-control/

ECFR: Podcast, March 2016: ECFR’s World in 30 Minutes: State elections in Germany http://www.ecfr.eu/podcasts/episode/ecfrs_world_in_30_minutes_state_elections_in_germany

ECFR: Commentary, 05.04.16: Germany can afford the populists http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_germany_can_afford_the_populists6071

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