BERLIN (Reuters) – The political establishment has dismissed Germany’s new anti-euro party as a fear-mongering populist aberration that could implode even before a looming federal election.

But the first congress of the “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) showed that the movement, launched only a few months ago by a group of renegade academics, journalists and businessmen, is striking a chord with voters and may prove an influential force come September.

BERLIN (Reuters) – The political establishment has dismissed Germany’s new anti-euro party as a fear-mongering populist aberration that could implode even before a looming federal election.

But the first congress of the “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) showed that the movement, launched only a few months ago by a group of renegade academics, journalists and businessmen, is striking a chord with voters and may prove an influential force come September.

BERLIN, April 8 (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela
Merkel’s main challenger in a September election accused her
government on Monday of failing in the battle against tax
evasion by seeking cozy deals with havens like Switzerland when
it should be raising pressure on them.

With his Social Democrats (SPD) far behind Merkel’s
conservatives less than half a year before the German vote, Peer
Steinbrueck may be hoping to reduce the gap by focusing on one
of his signature policy issues.