Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is celebrating a significant electoral win in the eastern state of Thuringia, marking what they describe as a “historic success.” The AfD garnered nearly one-third of the votes, outpacing the conservative CDU by nine percentage points and leaving the three governing parties far behind. This is the first time the AfD has achieved victory in a state parliament election since World War II, though the party is not expected to form a government due to a lack of support from other parties.
In a related election in neighboring Saxony, the AfD came in a close second, with the CDU capturing 31.9% of the votes, also significantly ahead of the national governing coalition that includes the Social Democrats, Greens, and FDP. Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the outcomes as “bitter,” urging mainstream parties to establish state governments independent of the AfD, asserting that the party is detrimental to Germany’s economy and societal cohesion.
Björn Höcke, the AfD’s controversial candidate in Thuringia, celebrated the party’s triumph, expressing pride despite not securing a direct mandate. The party has been labeled as extremist, with Höcke himself facing fines for past statements linked to Nazi rhetoric, which he denies was intentional.
Notably, Charlotte Knobloch, a prominent Holocaust survivor, cautioned that the election took place 85 years after the onset of World War II, reflecting concerns about an increasing instability in the nation. With national elections upcoming, the AfD is currently second in national opinion polls, signaling a potential shift in German politics. Co-leader Alice Weidel interpreted the results as a rejection of the current ruling parties, suggesting that voters in both Thuringia and Saxony are looking for her party to have a role in governance.
Approximately five million voters in eastern Germany participated in the elections, with a significant portion of young voters in Thuringia supporting the AfD. Immigration, particularly issues surrounding refugees and asylum seekers, emerged as a primary concern for voters. Recent violent incidents linked to asylum seekers have reignited these debates nationally.
Despite the AfD’s substantial gains, its ability to govern in Thuringia is limited without support from other parties, as the CDU has ruled out any cooperation with the far-right group. Provisional results indicate the AfD will hold 32 out of 88 seats in the Thuringia state parliament, while the CDU will occupy 23 seats, with only one of the three national ruling parties represented.
Sunday’s election results highlight the declining popularity of Germany’s current coalition government, with another eastern state, Brandenburg, set to hold elections in three weeks. Amidst this political climate, anti-AfD protests took place outside the Thuringia parliament, where concerns about the party’s extremist classification by domestic intelligence were voiced.