# Centre punch: Germany’s state-election shocker

An episode of [The Intelligence from The Economist](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1449631195), 21 Sep 2026, 21 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/acast/s/theintelligencepodcast/e/6ab0f8597aa361c6128028b9/media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=hHfMIpyG9j_XHT_xwEpIxlyj4I7iec-ysHrmw-AK7s8

Two more state-election results reveal surging support for both the far-right AfD and the populist-left Die Linke parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz himself described the outcome as a disaster; what will it mean for him? Our correspondent looks into why there is so much enthusiasm for African stocks. And what the science says about blue-light exposure and sleep. Guests and host: • Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief • Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent • Sam Wikeley, science correspondent • Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” • Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: • German politics, Friedrich Merz, AfD, Die Linke • African stockmarkets, Aliko Dangote • sleep science, blue light Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them.