BERLIN — For the 13 years since its founding, the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party — labeled “right-wing extremist” by the country’s domestic intelligence agency and accused by others of xenophobia, antisemitism and Islamophobia — has stood in opposition. Opposition to the European Union. Opposition to immigration. And, as the largest party outside the governing coalition after last year’s federal elections, opposition to Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
This year, the AfD is looking to lead for the first time — by winning control of a state government.
