Germany’s political system is set up to exclude extremists. Yet the country is waking up to a new political reality that has lurched to the right with the once outcast Alternative for Germany (AfD) party now firmly established in German politics.

In spite of the Tesla CEO's best efforts, the AfD performed no better than had been expected when snap elections were called.

The AfD has won new support in western states from voters frustrated by Germany's weak economy, seeking curbs on migration, and fed up with political stasis. It has also attracted younger people, for whom voting far-right does not hold the same stigma as it did for older generations.