On November 10th the Christian Democrats moved to expel Martin Hohmann, a far-right backbencher, from the party.

ECONOMIST: The Christian Democrats eject a right-wing extremist

Even more worrying, the speech, delivered to some 120 people in Mr Hohmann's constituency, caused a stir only after it was later found on the internet by a Jewish woman in America.

ECONOMIST: The Christian Democrats eject a right-wing extremist