Plus: Putin sworn for a fifth term, and US pauses bomb shipment to Israel ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. Today our Berlin correspondent Jessica Parker takes us on a deep dive into Germany's Alternative für Deutschland, and the ties between some in the far-right party and extremist groups. Steve Rosenberg reports from the Kremlin, where Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a fifth term as president. I have even more global politics with a report on the Philippines' power duo, and a look at the most political of apolitical events: the Eurovision Song Contest. | |
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TOP OF THE AGENDA | Inside Germany’s far right | | The AfD is polling particularly well in the eastern states of Germany. Credit: BBC | Next month, voters in 27 EU member countries will elect their representatives in the European parliament, with right-wing and far-right parties expected to feature prominently. In Germany, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has been steadily on the rise. Despite a campaign marred by extremism and corruption allegations, the AfD consistently places second in nationwide polls. Our Berlin correspondent Jessica Parker takes a closer look at the movement, focusing on three men at different levels of the organisation: Matthias Helferich, Jean-Pascal Hohm and Benedikt Kaiser. She identifies a clear crossover between AfD figures and far-right networks, some of which are classed as anti-democratic or racist by German authorities. Jessica's report begins with a visit to the eastern city of Cottbus, where Bundestag parliamentarian Mr Helferich is giving a talk on “remigration”. He has previously appeared to describe himself as the "friendly face" of National Socialism (Nazism) on Facebook but told the BBC he was "parodying" left wingers. More broadly, the AfD has repeatedly rejected accusations of extremism. Read Jessica's report in full.
Spying allegations: The AfD has been embroiled in espionage claims, with European election candidate Petr Bystron strongly denying he received payments from a Russian disinformation network. But the claims go way beyond the far-right.
Politician on trial: Regional AfD leader Björn Höcke went on trial last month, accused of using a Nazi slogan at a 2021 rally. He denied knowing the phrase's roots.
EU elections: About 400 million voters will be called to the polls in early June. Here's why it matters to the European Union and beyond. | |
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| Modern-day tsar sworn in for fifth term | | Vladimir Putin said Russia would emerge stronger "through this difficult period". Credit: Sputnik via Reuters | Russian President Vladimir Putin has been sworn in for a new six-year term. He has been in power for 24 years, and most people in Russia have grown used to one man running the country. |
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| | Steve Rosenberg, Russia editor |
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| | He could probably have walked it blindfolded. For the fifth time, Vladimir Putin took the long walk through the Grand Kremlin Palace to the St Andrew's Throne Hall. "We are a united and great people. Together we will overcome all obstacles, we will bring all our plans to fruition, and together we will win," President Putin told an audience of ministers and dignitaries. Putin 5.0 had plenty of supporters in the hall. "Putin is leading Russia to victory," Russian MP Pyotr Tolstoy told me. "What is victory?" I asked. "Victory is when Britain and the West realise that Russia is a superpower and recognise Russia's national interests." |
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BEYOND THE HEADLINES | Is this power couple headed for divorce? |
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| | | The alliance between Sara Duterte and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr won them the election in 2022. Credit: Getty Images | She's the daughter of a former president, he's the son of a disgraced dictator. Sara Duterte and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr are the heirs of the two most powerful political dynasties in the Philippines. They sold themselves as a team to win the presidency in 2022 but their alliance is showing widening cracks, as Joel Guinto explains. |
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SOMETHING DIFFERENT | A painful history | An abandoned prison has become the newest US national park. | |
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And finally... | The first Eurovision Song Contest semi-final took place on Tuesday evening in Malmö, Sweden, bringing over-the-top performances and political controversies. Ten acts qualified for the final. They include Finland's Windows95man, whose stage name was accepted despite intellectual property concerns, and Ireland's Bambie Thug - a gothic witch performing an electro-metal song. | |
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