Calls to reject far-right AfD party after victory in eastern Germany | BBC News

BBC News

The German chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged mainstream parties not to lend support for Alternative for Germany (AfD), the first far-right party projected to win a state election since the second world war. The AfD won almost a third of the vote in the eastern state of Thuringia - putting the party nine points ahead of the conservative CDU, and far in front of Germany's three governing parties. The AfD's top candidate in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, who is a highly controversial figure in Germany, hailed a "historic victory" and spoke of his great pride. He failed to win a direct mandate for the state parliament, but secured a seat because he was top of his party list. Mr Höcke's party has been designated as right-wing extremist and he has been fined for using a Nazi slogan, although the former history teacher denies knowingly doing so. The result gives the far right its first win in a state parliament election since World War Two, although it has little hope of forming a government in Thuringia because other parties are unlikely to work with it. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog For more news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com/news #Germany #BBCNews