The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is set to claim victory in the Thuringia regional elections. This marks a historic moment, as the AfD would be the first far-right party to win a regional election in Germany since the dark days of World War Two. With a projected 33.1% of the vote, the AfD is comfortably leading over the conservative party’s 24.3%. But don’t be fooled—this is far from a political breakthrough. Despite their success at the polls, the AfD is almost guaranteed to be locked out of any governing coalition. Rival parties are uniting to ensure that the far-right party remains a political outcast.
Why It Matters
Meanwhile, in the neighboring state of Saxony, the conservative party narrowly leads with 31.9%, barely edging out the AfD. One can’t help but wonder, Is this the beginning of a far-right resurgence in Germany? With a national election just a year away, these results are a wake-up call for Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his coalition. The Social Democrats, along with their junior partners, the Greens and Free Democrats, have seen a significant drop in support. In fact, the Greens and Free Democrats are teetering on the brink of political oblivion, struggling to hit the 5% threshold needed to remain in parliament.
The final week of campaigning was marred by tragedy. A knife attack at a festival in Solingen, allegedly perpetrated by an illegally resident Syrian national, left three people dead. This incident has undoubtedly played into the hands of the anti-immigration AfD, boosting their appeal among voters fed up with the government’s handling of immigration.
But it’s not just the AfD making waves. The left-populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is also shaking things up. Founded just eight months ago, the BSW has surged to third place in both Thuringia and Saxony. Like the AfD, the BSW is calling for less immigration and an end to arming Ukraine. Who would have thought that in today’s Germany, two parties on opposite ends of the political spectrum would find common ground on such divisive issues?
The political landscape in Germany is shifting rapidly. With all major parties refusing to work with the AfD, the BSW could become a kingmaker in these states, which continue to lag behind western Germany economically, even after more than three decades since reunification. The results in Thuringia and Saxony spell disaster for Scholz’s coalition, potentially igniting further conflicts within an already fragmented government in Berlin.
What They Are saying
Alice Weidel, the AfD’s co-leader, sees the writing on the wall. “The voters want the AfD in government,” she declared. “Without us, a stable government is not possible.” The arrogance is palpable, but she may not be wrong. As the AfD’s popularity continues to grow, the traditional parties will have to rethink their strategies if they want to remain relevant.
Bodo Ramelow, the embattled premier of Thuringia, made it clear that the real fight isn’t against the conservatives or the BSW, it’s against the normalization of fascism. His Left party, despite his personal popularity, suffered a crushing defeat. Ramelow’s words are a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows of German politics.
Bottom Line
The question now is whether the established parties will rise to the challenge or be swept away by the tides of change.
