Jessica Parker

It is very important for me to get the message across that anyone who commits crimes in Germany will not only be severely punished and sent to prison, they must also expect that they will not be able to continue their stay in Germany. Our correspondent Jessica Parker sent this report from Munich.

It is very important for me to get the message across that anyone who commits crimes in Germany will not only be severely punished and sent to prison, they must also expect that they will not be able to continue their stay in Germany. Our correspondent Jessica Parker sent this report from Munich.

A 25-year-old woman dances in a video to a song in support of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland. She's among a band of social media influencers aiding the party's relative dominance on TikTok. Selina wants the return of military service, more help for stay-at-home mums and tougher immigration rules. She's young, so are most of her followers.

A 25-year-old woman dances in a video to a song in support of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland. She's among a band of social media influencers aiding the party's relative dominance on TikTok. Selina wants the return of military service, more help for stay-at-home mums and tougher immigration rules. She's young, so are most of her followers.

There are lots of people who regard the AFD as an extremist, even a dangerous party.

There are lots of people who regard the AFD as an extremist, even a dangerous party.

Critics accuse the far-right of long-standing anti-migrant rhetoric and of exploiting people's fears after attacks in Germany where the suspects were asylum seekers. But at last year's European elections, the AFD enjoyed a broad rise in support. The sharpest uptick? Under 24-year-olds. Ah, 26.

Critics accuse the far-right of long-standing anti-migrant rhetoric and of exploiting people's fears after attacks in Germany where the suspects were asylum seekers. But at last year's European elections, the AFD enjoyed a broad rise in support. The sharpest uptick? Under 24-year-olds. Ah, 26.

At a darts bar in Freiburg, Saxony, 19-year-old Nick and 30-year-old Dominik tell me that for their future, they're aiming for the past.

At a darts bar in Freiburg, Saxony, 19-year-old Nick and 30-year-old Dominik tell me that for their future, they're aiming for the past.

It's 7.30 in the morning and we're driving to... a vocational training centre. It's in the town of Fleur in Saxony. And we're going to be in time for the first class of the day. In these halls, people speak of political and gender divides. 18-year-old Cora, who doesn't support the far right, tells me about the kind of misogynistic chatter she hears.

It's 7.30 in the morning and we're driving to... a vocational training centre. It's in the town of Fleur in Saxony. And we're going to be in time for the first class of the day. In these halls, people speak of political and gender divides. 18-year-old Cora, who doesn't support the far right, tells me about the kind of misogynistic chatter she hears.

While teacher Diana Schwitala is alarmed. when she sees right-wing support tip into extremism.

While teacher Diana Schwitala is alarmed. when she sees right-wing support tip into extremism.

The school's holding a mock election. Germany's actual election is just two weeks away. A firewall remains to keep the AFD out of power. But a strong showing in this small poll carries an echo. The far-right's efforts to normalise itself appear to be working.

The school's holding a mock election. Germany's actual election is just two weeks away. A firewall remains to keep the AFD out of power. But a strong showing in this small poll carries an echo. The far-right's efforts to normalise itself appear to be working.

What has happened is that Friedrich Merz, leading the CDU, running right up to an election, has chosen, even though he says he's sort of done it reluctantly, to push through this call for tougher border rules with votes from Alternativa for Deutschland. And he's going to... table actual legislation on Friday.

What has happened is that Friedrich Merz, leading the CDU, running right up to an election, has chosen, even though he says he's sort of done it reluctantly, to push through this call for tougher border rules with votes from Alternativa for Deutschland. And he's going to... table actual legislation on Friday.

So there's the possibility that he could lean on those votes again to actually try and push through legislation, although the election is so near. I think many people regard that as highly unlikely that it could go through. But I think number one significance is is this. crack in the firewall. He's under a huge amount of criticism for it.

So there's the possibility that he could lean on those votes again to actually try and push through legislation, although the election is so near. I think many people regard that as highly unlikely that it could go through. But I think number one significance is is this. crack in the firewall. He's under a huge amount of criticism for it.