https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/in-germany-s-east-a-rare-center-left-star-looks-to-stem-the-far-right-s-riseContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/in-germany-s-east-a-rare-center-left-star-looks-to-stem-the-far-right-s-risehttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/in-germany-s-east-a-rare-center-left-star-looks-to-stem-the-far-right-s-rise#u76966Sun, 20 Sep 2026 02:10:44 +0000SPD state premier Manuela Schwesig is campaigning as a bulwark against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. While Schwesig is described as a popular center-left figure and "state mother," the AfD leads polls ahead of the upcoming election. This contest serves as a critical test for the center-left's ability to stem the far-right surge in Germany's east, occurring as a second eastern state prepares for polls that could also impact the political fate of Friedrich Merz.Why it mattersThe AfD has seen a significant rise in support across eastern