All parties in Germany have refused to form a coalition with the AfD – an agreement known as the “firewall” to prevent the far right from returning to Government in a country scarred by its Nazi past.
The party is under surveillance by German domestic intelligence, who classify the AfD and its youth wing as a suspected extremist organisation based on its inflammatory comments made about immigrants and Muslims.
The vote also comes at an awkward moment for Europe as it seeks to stand by Ukraine and tackle a confrontational US President in Donald Trump, who has signaled that he will disengage from the region and mend ties with Moscow.
The party, which has been supported by Elon Musk, also oppose energy subsidies entirely and reject the expansion of renewable energy.
The far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is second in the polls, on 21%.
