The far right just made huge gains in a country once seen as a climate champion

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🗞️ Driving the news: Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party nearly doubled its vote share in the latest national elections, placing second
• The party, which denies human-caused climate change, is shifting the country’s political debate away from climate action
• While it won’t be part of the governing coalition, its influence is undeniable

🔭 The context: Once a climate leader, Germany has seen growing opposition to green policies amid economic struggles, high energy prices, and political discontent
• The victorious center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has pledged to maintain climate targets but supports prolonging fossil fuel use and rolling back regulations
• Similar far-right gains are occurring in Italy, the U.S., Brazil, and Australia, where climate policies are framed as elitist and restrictive

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The far-right’s rising influence could weaken global climate action, as key nations scale back commitments
• Climate activists warn that dismissing climate issues as secondary to economic concerns risks derailing urgent policies
• The shift threatens progress on the energy transition and emissions reductions worldwide

⏭️ What's next: Germany’s likely CDU-led coalition is expected to slow climate policy momentum, sidelining the Green party
• Analysts warn that climate debates are being reshaped by far-right rhetoric, making ambitious action more difficult
• Globally, climate policies will face continued resistance if they are not framed as beneficial to ordinary citizens

💬 One quote: “There’s a far right that is attacking the climate agenda in every country.” — Luisa Neubauer, climate activist

📈 One stat: The far-right AfD secured 16% of the vote in Germany’s election, nearly doubling its 2021 result, while the Green party’s support fell to 12%, down from 15% in 2021

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