Germany's firewall against far-right AfD fractures as young mayor breaks consensus

A 25-year-old German mayor has rejected the long-standing "firewall" strategy that bars mainstream parties from working with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), challenging a decade-old political consensus designed to contain the party's influence. The move signals potential fracturing of Germany's unified approach to isolating the AfD, which has grown significantly in recent years. This development matters because Germany's handling of far-right politics influences broader European democratic strategies and reflects deepening political polarization in Europe's largest economy. The decision raises questions about whether other politicians and parties will follow suit, potentially reshaping Germany's political landscape.