Recent elections in the German states of Thuringia and Saxony, especially the significant voter turnout for the extreme right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD) and a burgeoning far-left party, have sparked discussions of a rebirth of radical German politics reminiscent of the 1930s, as well as a perceived failure of reunification 34 years later. Over the years, a mass exodus of 3.7 million people from East to West Germany has left behind an ageing population that is discontented and quick to point fingers at immigrants and the establishment.
However, it is important not to lose perspective. Despite the worrying trend of extreme populist parties squeezing out the centre, particularly in the east, there is zero likelihood of the AfD overtaking the government. Having only garnered votes from 7 per cent of the total German electorate, the AfD remains a minority party and there is a mutual consensus among other parties not to form alliances with it.
Making unprecedented gains, the right-wing anti-immigrant party has achieved a significant political landmark, winning a state vote – a first in the post-war era. They led in Thuringia with 32.8 per cent of votes, outperforming the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) by nine points, and in Saxony, they ran just behind the CDU with a 30.6 per cent vote share. On the leftist front, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a radical left splinter group, managed to secure 15.8 per cent and 11.8 per cent of votes respectively.
However, these extreme parties do not have as strong footing in the west and are unlikely to replicate such significant electoral victories in the general elections next year. The conventional middle-ground parties maintain strong presence in the east. CDU managed to secure victory in Saxony and demonstrate strength in Saxony-Anhalt, while the ruling social democratic SPD continues to hold sway in Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern– two states due for upcoming elections.
Yet, the AfD’s success this past weekend is not the only cause for concern. The impact of their growing influence is evident in the way they have successfully influenced key government agendas, not just immigration but also stalling arms sales to Ukraine.