Alternative for Germany (AfD) Gains Ground in Thuringia, Faces Hurdles in Forming Government
Berlin, Germany — Germany’s anti-immigration party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), is celebrating what it describes as a “historic success” after securing a significant lead in the eastern state of Thuringia. According to a projection by public broadcaster ARD, the far-right party is poised to win nearly a third of the vote, ahead of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) by nine points and far surpassing Germany’s three governing parties.
Historic milestone for AfD
If confirmed, this result would mark the first time since World War Two that the far-right has won a vote in a state parliament. Despite this, the AfD faces significant challenges in forming a government in Thuringia. In the neighboring state of Saxony, the AfD also performed strongly, coming a close second with the CDU leading by a mere one percentage point.
Controversial figures and statements
Björn Höcke, the AfD’s top candidate in Thuringia and a highly controversial figure, hailed the outcome as a “historic victory.” Although he reportedly failed to secure a direct mandate for the state parliament, he may still win a seat as he tops his party’s list. Höcke, who has been designated as a right-wing extremist and fined for using a Nazi slogan—a charge he denies—expressed profound pride in the results.
The timing of the election, coinciding with the 85th anniversary of the outbreak of World War Two, did not go unnoticed. Charlotte Knobloch, one of Germany’s most renowned Holocaust survivors, warned that the election results could destabilize the country, making it “more unstable, colder and poorer, less safe and less worth living in.”
With federal elections only a year away, the AfD is currently second in national opinion polls. Co-leader Alice Weidel interpreted the results as a “requiem” for Germany’s ruling coalition. “Without us, a stable government is no longer possible at all,” she declared, a sentiment echoed by Höcke, who suggested that many CDU voters would support collaboration with the AfD. However, the CDU has firmly ruled out any coalition with the far-right party.
Youth voters and key issues
In Thuringia, approximately 36% of voters under 30 supported the AfD, significantly more than any other party, according to a ZDF survey. Immigration, particularly the issue of refugees and asylum, was the primary concern for AfD voters. “Politicians have promised a lot, particularly concerning migration and foreigners,” an AfD voter named Michael told the BBC in Erfurt, Thuringia’s state capital. “But nothing happened. Nothing. Just promises came from these parties. Now I have my party. And I stand with my decision,” he said, with his partner Manuela echoing his sentiments.
Recent events fueling voter sentiment
The asylum debate was reignited nationally shortly before the vote when three people were murdered at a street festival in Solingen, western Germany. A Syrian man facing deportation was arrested in connection with the attack. AfD deputy leader Beatrix von Storch told the BBC’s Newshour that her party’s asylum policies had long been labeled extremist. “Two days ahead of the election, they started to do what we always said had to be done,” she said, referring to recent government measures to toughen asylum laws.
Despite their significant gains, the AfD cannot govern Thuringia without the support of other parties. The CDU has categorically stated it will not ally with the far-right, leaving the conservatives needing support from left-leaning parties to form a majority. Projections suggest the AfD will secure 32 seats in Thuringia’s 88-seat parliament, giving them a blocking minority on critical decisions requiring a two-thirds majority. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) is set to win only six seats, with none for the Greens and liberal FDP.
In Saxony, the CDU is projected to win 42 seats, just ahead of the AfD’s 40, with Sahra Wagenknecht’s left-wing populist party in third place with 15 seats. Wagenknecht’s new party shares some policy positions with the AfD, particularly concerning Ukraine, but has refused to enter any coalition with the far right. Her rise has impacted the Left party, which won the previous election in Thuringia but has now fallen to fourth place.
Public reaction and future prospects
While Björn Höcke celebrated the victory with supporters in Erfurt, anti-AfD protesters gathered outside the Thuringia state parliament. Among them was Hannah, a local student, who voiced her concerns: “I think there are a lot of people who are aware they have Nazi policies and don’t care. Germany has some kind of responsibility on that matter.”
As Brandenburg prepares to vote in three weeks, the AfD currently leads in opinion polls, but the Social Democrats and Conservatives are close behind. The recent elections underscore the growing unpopularity of Germany’s ruling “traffic-light” coalition, named for the red, yellow, and green of the party colors.
Bodo Ramelow, the Left-party state premier of Thuringia, criticized the election campaign for fostering fear and emphasized his commitment to fighting against the normalization of fascism.
The electoral success of the AfD in Thuringia and Saxony marks a significant moment in German politics, raising questions about the future direction of the country and the ability of traditional parties to maintain their influence.