By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Rise of the AfD Sparks Political Tensions and Uncertainty Across Germany
As Germany prepares for pivotal state elections in Thuringia and Saxony, the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is on the brink of a historic breakthrough, potentially winning the most votes in state elections for the first time since World War II. This potential shift has ignited mixed reactions across the nation, with some viewing the AfD's rise as a nightmarish echo of the past, while others, particularly in eastern Germany, see it as an opportunity for significant change.
Throughout the year, political tensions have been intensifying, and Sunday’s vote in Thuringia and Saxony could mark a critical turning point. In Thuringia, Chancellor Olaf Scholz faced a hostile crowd this week in the city of Jena, with chants of “liar” and “Volksverräter” (traitor of the people), a phrase that evokes Nazi era connotations. Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), along with its coalition partners the Greens and Liberals, are struggling in Thuringia, potentially failing to secure even a single seat in the state parliament, while the AfD leads in the polls.
In Saxony, the AfD is in a tight race with the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The recent knife attack involving a Syrian asylum seeker and suspected Islamist, which resulted in three deaths, has intensified criticism of the government’s handling of migration, prompting hurried legislative responses on asylum and knife crime. However, these measures may not be enough to quell broader discontent that extends beyond immigration issues. AfD supporters also express dissatisfaction with environmental policies, perceived government overreach, and military support for Ukraine.
In the eastern regions, these grievances are compounded by long standing frustrations rooted in the aftermath of German reunification. A sense of being "overlooked" persists among many, fueled by disparities in industrial strength, wages, and pension benefits between the former East and West Germany.
Constantin, a 16 year old trainee car mechanic from Meiningen, represents a younger generation of AfD supporters in the east who feel neglected. Riding his East German Simson S50 moped, he articulates a common sentiment: "The east and the west, it’s true it’s connected now. It’s one Germany. But we see, in the difference, it’s big." This perspective echoes throughout towns and villages that once made up the former communist GDR.
Despite allegations of extremism surrounding the AfD, many supporters dismiss these accusations as smear tactics by domestic intelligence and mainstream media. In Thuringia, the AfD is officially classified as a right-wing extremist party, and its controversial leader, Björn Höcke, was recently fined for allegedly using a Nazi slogan. Höcke denies knowingly doing so, and party supporters often regard criticisms as attempts to undermine their movement.
The eastern German public's ingrained suspicion of government stems from their experiences under the Stasi, the notorious secret police of communist East Germany. This distrust has been exacerbated by pandemic restrictions and a perception of being pressured into "politically correct" viewpoints.
Vivien Rottstedt, a 31 year old lawyer and AfD candidate in Thuringia, believes these factors have fueled support for the party. "People from eastern Germany know exactly what it's like when you're no longer allowed to express your own opinion," she says, campaigning in the heat of Meiningen.
Another emerging political force, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), has surged to third place in Thuringia, blending cultural conservatism with economically left wing policies. However, it is the AfD that appears poised for significant gains, with strong showings expected in Saxony and Brandenburg, where elections are set to take place later this month.
While a potential AfD victory would be a seismic event in German politics, it does not necessarily translate into power, as other parties are likely to form a coalition to maintain a "firewall" against the far right. Nevertheless, the situation presents significant challenges for Chancellor Scholz and his beleaguered coalition.
SPD activist Levi Schlegtendal reflects on the changing political landscape as he works a campaign stall in Jena. "It’s new to Germany that we have that three party coalition and it hurts a lot when you have a lot of disputes," he says, recalling the optimism that accompanied Scholz’s rise to power three years ago. "Now the times have changed with coronavirus, the Ukraine crisis and he appears to be out of time."
The outcomes of these state elections will not only shape the future of Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg but also serve as a crucial indicator of public sentiment ahead of federal elections next year. As establishment parties scramble to counter the AfD’s ascent, the CDU, under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, appears positioned to reclaim the chancellery, though with a noticeably more right-leaning stance in response to the far-right surge.
