The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a stronghold in the recent Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania election, highlighting how Europe’s energy crisis is influencing political landscapes. With major elections approaching in France and Italy, rising fuel prices are propelling populist agendas across the continent.

Germany’s final state elections have significantly altered the political landscape, with the Left party securing 25.7% of the vote in Berlin, while the AfD leads in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with 38.2%. The CDU faced heavy losses, and SPD’s Manuela Schwesig could remain in office despite the AfD’s success.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney underscored their commitment to strengthening ties during a summit in Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The leaders discussed cooperation in fisheries, regional security, and energy, amidst heightened tensions with the United States and a proposed “associate member” status for Canada in the European Union.

Germans will vote on Sunday in two pivotal state elections that could impact Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s leadership. In Berlin, the Christian Democratic Union faces off against Die Linke amid concerns over housing, while the Social Democratic Party confronts the far-right Alternative for Germany in Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania.

Berlin voters will head to the polls on Sunday to elect a new state parliament, the Abgeordnetenhaus. Current polls show a competitive race with the Left party and CDU at approximately 20-23%, while the AfD and Greens follow closely. The SPD faces significant challenges, polling between 10-12%.

Dutch riot police confronted approximately 500 far-right protesters in The Hague on Saturday, employing baton charges and water cannon to disperse the crowd after clashes erupted. Demonstrators at the “We Are The People” rally displayed anti-Semitic behaviour while protesting government immigration policies, prompting arrests and condemnation from Justice Minister David van Weel.