The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has emerged as the largest political party in Germany according to the latest Forsa poll, securing 26% support and surpassing Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative bloc, which has fallen to 29%. This marks the first time AfD leads all German political parties in voter preference. The rise of AfD comes amid ongoing discussions about potentially banning the party due to its extremist positions, although a majority of Germans oppose such a ban. Additionally, more than two-thirds of Germans anticipate that one of the country's state premiers will be from AfD by next year. This shift toward right-wing populism is part of a broader trend in Europe, with right-wing parties also gaining momentum in the UK, France, and Italy. In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Fratelli d’Italia continues to lead with nearly 30% support, despite criticism that she has not fulfilled her campaign promises on immigration policies.