Key facts
- The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is experiencing a surge in support in eastern Germany.
- AfD's lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund is nearing a potential victory in the Saxony-Anhalt election.
- Many eastern Germans feel neglected and economically disadvantaged since reunification.
- Past policies, including Angela Merkel's refugee intake and perceived economic stagnation, are cited as reasons for the AfD's appeal.
- The AfD is leveraging historical grievances and a sense of distinct eastern identity.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is experiencing a significant rise in eastern Germany, with its lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund in Saxony-Anhalt positioned to potentially become the first far-right leader of a German state since 1945. This surge is fueled by a complex mix of lingering resentments over the post-unification transition, economic disparities, and a distinct eastern German identity that feels overlooked by the federal government.
Supporters of the AfD express a sense of betrayal by mainstream politicians like former Chancellor Angela Merkel and current CDU leader Friedrich Merz, feeling that their concerns are ignored and their tax money is misspent. The party is actively repurposing historical slogans, such as "Wir sind das Volk" from the 1989 protests against communism, to mobilize support. Some individuals articulate a desire for a more "German" identity, distinct from what they perceive as "America-Germany" influenced by the West.
Angela Merkel's decision in 2015-2016 to allow a large influx of asylum seekers is frequently cited as a turning point that alienated many easterners. This, coupled with a perceived "victim mythology" where three-quarters of AfD-leaning voters feel unified Germany has wronged them, contributes to the party's appeal. The economic reality of eastern Germany, which has consistently grown slower than the West since the 1990s due to lower productivity and brain drain, further exacerbates these feelings.
Journalists attempting to cover AfD events have faced intimidation and physical obstruction, highlighting the party's control over its campaign spaces and the sometimes hostile reception for "mainstream" press. The broader economic challenges facing Germany, including potential job losses in key industries like automotive manufacturing, also contribute to a disillusionment with the Federal Republic's prosperity model in the East.