Merz's CDU collapses in German regional elections 'disaster'

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Germany’s governing CDU suffered its worst result in 80 years in regional elections Sunday, which Chancellor Friedrich Merz called a “disaster” for his party, as both the far left and far right surged.
The AfD expanded on strong recent results, which analysts believe could portend far-right victories in upcoming European elections.
Ruling parties like Denmark’s Social Democrats have moved right on immigration to stymie the far-right’s progress, and the Swedish center-left’s victory last week — running on stricter migration rules — reflects that “nativism is now shared by all [of Sweden’s] major parties, albeit in lighter form,” a political scientist told The Guardian.
Facing a challenge from the right, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced Sunday that Italy would ban face coverings in schools.

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