What to know about AfD as far-right German party heads for strongest result yet

Supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, AfD, sing the national anthem as they attend an election campaign rally of the party in Suhl, Germany (Markus Schreiber/AP)

Alternative for Germany appears to be heading for its strongest national election result yet this month and is fielding its first candidate to lead the country.

Even though it is highly unlikely to take a share of power soon, it has become a factor that other politicians cannot ignore and helped shape Germany’s debate on migration.