Germany: Establishment Loses Ground in Hamburg

The Feb. 15 elections in Hamburg, Germany's second-largest city and one of the wealthiest in Europe, had a clear winner: discontent with the country's largest political parties. This much was clear from the strong showing by anti-EU party Alternative for Germany. For the first time since becoming chancellor a decade ago, Angela Merkel is now dealing with challenges both at home and abroad. Euroskeptic sentiments are on the rise, criticizing different aspects of the process of EU integration, while several countries have spoken up to challenge Germany's leadership of the European Union. Alternative for Germany's performance in the Hamburg elections will not threaten Merkel's position in the short run, but it will impact Germany's behavior, particularly on the country's immigration policy and its position on the Greek financial crisis.