https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/germany-s-merz-vows-to-fight-extremism-after-afd-far-left-election-gainsContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/germany-s-merz-vows-to-fight-extremism-after-afd-far-left-election-gainshttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/germany-s-merz-vows-to-fight-extremism-after-afd-far-left-election-gains#u112759Fri, 09 Oct 2026 23:41:06 +0000German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to combat political extremism following significant gains by far-right and far-left parties in local elections. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a notable victory, securing the first far-right statehouse speaker in Germany since 1945. Merz's conservative party, the CDU, also faced criticism over alleged support for the AfD.Why it mattersThe recent local elections in Germany have highlighted a shift towards extremist parties, with the AfD and far-left parties making significant gains. This development has raised concerns about th