TOP OF THE AGENDA

Inside Germany’s far right

The AfD is polling particularly well in the eastern states of Germany. Credit: BBC

Next month, voters in 27 EU member countries will elect their representatives in the European parliament, with right-wing and far-right parties expected to feature prominently. In Germany, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has been steadily on the rise. Despite a campaign marred by extremism and corruption allegations, the AfD consistently places second in nationwide polls. Our Berlin correspondent Jessica Parker takes a closer look at the movement, focusing on three men at different levels of the organisation: Matthias Helferich, Jean-Pascal Hohm and Benedikt Kaiser. She identifies a clear crossover between AfD figures and far-right networks, some of which are classed as anti-democratic or racist by German authorities. Jessica's report begins with a visit to the eastern city of Cottbus, where Bundestag parliamentarian Mr Helferich is giving a talk on “remigration”. He has previously appeared to describe himself as the "friendly face" of National Socialism (Nazism) on Facebook but told the BBC he was "parodying" left wingers. More broadly, the AfD has repeatedly rejected accusations of extremism. Read Jessica's report in full.

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• Politician on trial: Regional AfD leader Björn Höcke went on trial last month, accused of using a Nazi slogan at a 2021 rally. He denied knowing the phrase's roots.

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