Germany’s political system is set up to exclude extremists. Yet the country is waking up to a new political reality that has lurched to the right with the once outcast Alternative for Germany (AfD) party now firmly established in German politics.

The AfD doubles its vote share to 20.8 percent in weekend elections and becomes Germany’s second-largest party.

The Christian Democrats won with 28.6% of the vote while the far-right Alternative for Germany came second with 20.8%.