In post-World War II Germany, a far-right party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), won a state election in Thuringia with a significant lead over mainstream conservatives. The AfD also performed well in Saxony, coming in second to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Other parties expressed concern about AfD’s success, with many adamantly stating they would not form a coalition with the far-right party. The election results are likely to make it challenging to form new state governments, potentially leading to unconventional coalition formations.
A new party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), founded by a prominent leftist, also made an impact in the election. The BSW achieved significant support in Thuringia and Saxony, creating further complexity in forming government coalitions. The election results are seen as a historic success for the AfD, signaling dissatisfaction with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, which has been plagued by internal conflicts, anti-immigration sentiment, and opposition to German military aid for Ukraine. The AfD’s stronghold is in the less prosperous eastern region of Germany.
The AfD’s leader in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, has faced criticism and legal issues, with the party’s branches in both Thuringia and Saxony under surveillance by the domestic intelligence agency. Despite controversy surrounding the party’s leadership, the AfD has resonated with voters in the eastern region. The Social Democrats and the Greens, the junior coalition partners in the outgoing state governments, suffered losses in the election, highlighting a shift in political landscape in eastern Germany.
Thuringia’s political complexity is further highlighted by the decline of the Left Party, which has historically been significant in the region. The emergence of the BSW as a formidable political force has raised questions about potential coalition formations, as the CDU has typically refused to work with the Left Party. The BSW, with its anti-immigration stance coupled with left-wing economic policies, offers a new challenge to traditional political dynamics in the east.
Immigration policy, anti-immigration sentiment, and skepticism towards German military involvement in Ukraine have been key issues in the election, playing a significant role in shaping voters’ preferences. The recent knife attack in Solingen involving a suspected extremist from Syria has heightened concerns about immigration, prompting calls for stricter measures. Additionally, Germany’s stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine has been a contentious issue in the region, with opposition to weapons deliveries to Ukraine coming from parties like AfD and BSW.
As Germany faces a national election in a little over a year, the results of the state elections in Thuringia and Saxony signal a shift in political allegiances and highlight the growing influence of populist parties in the eastern region. The electoral success of AfD and the BSW reflects the changing political landscape in Germany and underscores the deep-seated discontent with the existing government. The formation of new state governments will likely require innovative coalition arrangements to navigate the rise of far-right and left-wing parties in the region.
