In a significant shift in German politics, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has celebrated a “historic victory” in the eastern state of Thuringia. The result marks a landmark moment for the far-right party, which has emerged as a powerful force in German state politics. With an estimated nearly a third of the vote in Thuringia, the AfD has overtaken the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and overtaken Germany’s three ruling parties. A historic victory According to early estimates from public broadcaster ARD, the AfD is set to get around 32% of the vote in Thuringia, a nine percentage point lead over the CDU. The win is particularly notable as it would be the AfD’s first victory
in a state parliament since the end of World War II. Although the party is unlikely to form a government in Thuringia due to a lack of coalition partners, the results represent a significant political shift in the region. In neighbouring Saxony, the AfD also performed strongly, coming in second behind the CDU. The conservative party is projected to win around 32% of the vote in Saxony, only slightly less than the AfD, which is expected to win around 31%. The AfD’s top candidate in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, has been a controversial figure in German politics. Known for his polarising speeches, Höcke has been accused of extremism and fined for chanting Nazi
slogans, although he denies any wrongdoing. Despite failing to win a direct mandate for the state parliament, Höcke’s place at the top of the AfD’s list could still secure him a seat. Reacting to the results, Höcke expressed pride and described the result as “historic”. He suggested the result reflected widespread discontent with the current political establishment and a demand for change. Charlotte Knobloch, a prominent Holocaust survivor, expressed concern about the implications of the election results. He noted that the elections marked 85 years since the start of World War II and warned that the results could lead to a more unstable and less secure Germany. The results in Thuringia and Saxony come ahead of next year’s federal elections, where the AfD currently stands in second place nationally. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel described the results as an “oath” to the ruling coalition parties, suggesting that the AfD’s growing influence is reshaping the political landscape in Germany. Björn Höcke and other AfD leaders have hinted at a possible cooperation with the CDU. However, the CDU has strongly rejected any alliance with the far-right party, stressing its commitment to maintaining a clear distance from extremist elements. For many voters in Thuringia, immigration has been a central issue. The AfD’s success in the region underscores widespread frustration with the way the political establishment has handled immigration and asylum policies. Voters who support the AfD criticised existing parties for failing to address their concerns about immigration and security. Recent events, such as a deadly attack at a street festival in Solingen, have heightened national anxiety about immigration and asylum policies. The AfD has capitalised on
these fears, pressing for tougher measures and positioning itself as a champion of those disillusioned with the status quo. The rise of populism The AfD’s success in these state elections is part of a broader trend of rising populism across Europe. In addition to the AfD’s strong performance, the recent rise of Sahra Wagenknecht’s left-wing populist party, BSW, has also caused a stir. Wagenknecht’s party, which came in third in both Thuringia and Saxony, shares some of the AfD’s doubts about continued support for Ukraine, but its policy proposals differ. Wagenknecht’s success highlights the growing polarisation in German politics, with voters increasingly turning to parties that challenge the traditional political establishment. Wagenknecht’s party has also refused to cooperate with the AfD, despite having similar stances on some issues. The AfD’s success has sparked concern among other political groups. The Left Party, which previously won in Thuringia, has slipped to fourth place. Thuringia’s outgoing Left Party prime minister Bodo Ramelow criticised the election campaign as fear-filled and warned against the normalisation of extremist ideologies. Protests against the AfD have been significant, with anti-AfD demonstrators gathering outside the Thuringia state parliament. Many opponents fear the AfD’s rise could undermine democratic values and make society more divisive and less tolerant.