‘We can only win’: The rise of the far right in Eastern Germany

In a village on the edge of Germany’s Harz mountains, families gathering at a beer-and-bratwurst summer picnic lined up for autographs and selfies from the man they want to lead the country’s first far-right state government since World War II. Ulrich Siegmund, leader of the Alternative for Germany party in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, beamed with confidence that he’ll secure a victory that will deliver him a majority to lead the state after Sunday’s election. Should he fall short, he said, so be it.

The political chaos that’s bound to ensue will last “a few months” — and the party will simply win the next election.