A mayoral race in a small city highlights the rise of Germany’s far-right AfD party
By EMILY SCHULTHEIS
Associated Press
BERLIN (AP) — The German city of Nordhausen is best known as the location of the former Nazi concentration camp Mittelbau-Dora. A mayoral election on Sunday put the focus on the municipality of 42,000 people as a far-right candidate came close to winning the vote. The election underscored recent gains nationally for the Alternative for Germany or AfD party and the increasing influence it has on the political discussion in Germany. It also raised concerns about the potential normalization of far-right rhetoric in places like Nordhausen. The prospect of a far-right mayor has drawn criticism from Holocaust survivors and those who work to combat discrimination. The AfD has seen its support grow in recent months.