The German Far Right Is Poised for a Breakthrough
The AfD could do something next month that would mark a first in the country’s postwar history.
TL;DR
- The AfD is projected to win an election in Saxony-Anhalt, potentially forming the first far-right state government in Germany since the Nazi era.
- The party's agenda includes emergency remigration, revoking residence permits for foreigners convicted of crimes, and reviewing naturalization decisions.
- Saxony-Anhalt is a key battleground, with the AfD polling over 40%, potentially securing an absolute majority.
- The AfD's support is concentrated in formerly Communist eastern Germany, driven by economic and social discontent.
- A historical 'firewall' against cooperating with the AfD by other parties is being tested, especially for the Christian Democrats.
- The AfD's platform also includes ending Germany's 'guilt complex,' revamping education, and pursuing closer ties with Russia.
- Recent events, like a terrorist attack and the cancellation of a major chip factory, have contributed to a feeling of precarity in Saxony-Anhalt.
- The party's leader in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, is a social media savvy politician, while Hans-Thomas Tillschneider represents the party's more radical ideological stance.
- The situation in Saxony-Anhalt mirrors broader far-right trends across Europe, with parties gaining traction in France, Britain, and Italy.