In a historic turn of events, a far-right party, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), became the largest force in a German state parliament since World War II. Exit polls revealed that the AfD garnered 32.8% of the vote in Thuringia and 30.6% in Saxony. The mainstream political parties suffered significant losses, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s federal government parties scoring single-digit percentages.
A new populist force on the left, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), also made a strong showing in both states, drawing 11.8% in Saxony and 15.8% in Thuringia. The AfD’s victory has sparked concern and fear among many, and the democratic parties have vowed to keep the AfD out of power.
In response to the rise of right-wing extremism, the CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, has taken a rightward shift, focusing on tougher immigration policies. As coalition-building becomes a challenge, the BSW and the CDU may need to form ideologically awkward alliances to govern.
The election results reflect voters’ dissatisfaction with mainstream politics in the former communist east, where issues like economic decline and depopulation persist. The AfD’s anti-migration stance and nationalist rhetoric resonated with voters, contributing to their success.
The outcome of the elections signals a significant shift in Germany’s political landscape, with the AfD and the BSW challenging the traditional parties. These results have caused shockwaves through the country, highlighting the need for effective governance and addressing the concerns of the disillusioned electorate.
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