By Ezekiel David
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has achieved a landmark victory in the Thuringia state election, securing its first-ever win in a state parliament since World War Two.
With almost one-third of the vote, the AfD outperformed the three governing at the federal level, beating the conservative CDU by nine points. Despite opposition from other parties making the AfD unlikely to form a government, the outcome demonstrates the party’s rising popularity and possible impact on German politics.
In the neighbouring state of Saxony, where elections were also held, the AfD came in a close second to the CDU, again demonstrating its strong appeal in eastern Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concern over the results, urging mainstream parties to form coalitions without the far-right and warning that the AfD is “damaging Germany” and “weakening the economy.”
Despite failing to win a direct mandate, Björn Höcke, AfD’s controversial top candidate in Thuringia, celebrated the “historic victory”. A former history teacher, Höcke has been fined for using a Nazi slogan, though he denies doing so knowingly. His party has been designated as right-wing extremist by German authorities.
With federal elections approaching next year, the AfD currently holds the second position in national opinion polls. Co-leader Alice Weidel declared the Thuringia and Saxony results a “requiem” for the ruling coalition, asserting that voters in eastern states desire AfD participation in government.
The popularity of the AfD has been linked to worries over immigration, specifically with relation to refugees and asylum seekers. A recent attack in Solingen, purportedly carried out by a man fearing deportation from Syria, intensified the discussion and perhaps helped explain the AfD’s excellent performance.
The election results indicate the mounting discontent with Germany’s existing “traffic-light” coalition government, which is made up of the FDP, Greens, and Social Democrats. The AfD’s rise, coupled with the emergence of Sahra Wagenknecht’s left-wing populist party, poses a significant challenge to the established political landscape.
(Source: BBC)