If “none of the above” were an option in Germany’s election on February 23rd, it might win. Only 40% of Germans say Friedrich Merz—leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the probable next chancellor—is suitable for the job,

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Alternative for Germany appears to be heading for its strongest national election result yet this month and is fielding its first candidate to lead the country. The far-right party first entered Germany's national parliament eight years ago on the back of discontent with the arrival of large numbers of migrants in the mid-2010s,