The leader of the party said she received the call after the party known as the AfD finished second in national elections, by far the best showing in its history.

Weidel said voters had delivered a “clear majority” for a coalition with the AfD, which came second, and the winning Christian Democrats (CDU). But CDU leader Friedrich Merz has ruled out a coalition with the far-right party.

Friedrich Merz may have staved off the ascension of the far-right Alternative for Germany party for now, but the newly elected chancellor faces a critical test that will have seismic consequences for all of Europe,