Germany: Mama Merkel's party is beaten by anti-immigrant party in her home state in regional elections

The anti-immigrant Alternativ für Deutschland party (AfD), according to the latest estimates by the German ZDF channel, has received over 21% of the vote in the local elections in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, relegating Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which gained 19 percent of the vote, to third place. The CDU got 23% in the previous elections in 2011.

The ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) got 30%, compared to 35% last time.

The AfD has repeatedly demanded tougher anti-immigrant laws and lambasted Merkel for her open-door policy towards "refugees". This election comes just a year before the federal elections.

"This is a slap in the face for Merkel,” AfD co-leader Frauke Petry said.

The 21% is still less than the 28% overall which the Front National got in regional elections in France this year.  In a couple of Départements with high numbers of Muslims the FN got 43%.

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