The Third Republic | Dirk Kurbjuweit | Spiegel | 8th March 2016

Landmark essay on the changing shape of German politics. The refugee crisis has forced Merkel into de facto alliance with the left, creating tensions with the CSU and new space for the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD). If the AfD consolidates the far-right vote, Germany will “end up with a political spectrum that is closer to the European norm — but one which is nonetheless uncomfortable given the country’s history”