Far-right candidate leads in German mayoral election's second round

Voters in Aue-Bad Schlema, a town in Saxony, Germany, are heading to a second round of mayoral elections. The race features Stefan Hartung of the "Freie Sachsen" (Free Saxons) party and Marcus Hoffmann from the CDU. Hartung secured the most votes in the first round with 29 percent, but fell short of the absolute majority needed for an immediate win.

The election's outcome is being closely watched for its potential implications on the political landscape, particularly concerning the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Stefan Hartung, who leads the race, is also a member of "Heimat," the rebranded former NPD party, a designation that underscores the far-right nature of his political platform. Hoffmann of the CDU garnered 23.6 percent of the vote in the initial round.

Martin Nejezchleba, a political editor at DIE ZEIT, will explain what this result signifies for the AfD's position and the impact of Hartung's far-right stances on the local community. The article also includes a separate segment on the recent death of a humpback whale, Timmy, after various rescue efforts failed, with experts examining the carcass for insights.