The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has called on mainstream political parties to reject any alliances with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, following a significant electoral win for the AfD in the eastern state of Thuringia during the recent regional elections. This marks the first time the far-right has secured a victory in a state parliament election since World War Two.
In addition to its win in Thuringia, the AfD narrowly secured second place in the regional elections of the neighboring state of Saxony. Both Thuringia and Saxony’s intelligence agencies have classified the AfD as a right-wing extremist party. Notably, Björn Höcke, the head of the AfD in Thuringia, has faced legal penalties for previously endorsing Nazi-era slogans, which he asserts were used without his knowledge.
Scholz emphasized the necessity for all democratic parties to collaborate in blocking the AfD from gaining power, describing the election outcomes as “bitter” and “worrying.” He urged the formation of stable governments without the influence of right-wing extremism.
In response, AfD co-leader Alice Weidel claimed that the elections provided her party with a “clear mandate to govern,” and dismissed Scholz’s calls for a coalition excluding the AfD, suggesting such a move would disenfranchise significant segments of the electorate. “Firewalls are undemocratic,” she stated.
Without support from other parties, the AfD’s governance ambitions in Thuringia are limited. The conservative CDU, the second-largest party, has firmly stated its unwillingness to partner with the far right. This creates a scenario where the CDU may need alliances with parties on the political left to secure a majority, despite their previous rejection of cooperation with the left-wing Die Linke.
Amid a contentious political landscape, with over 30% of the vote, the AfD has established a “blocking minority,” enabling it to obstruct judicial appointments and constitutional amendments.
The political future appears precarious for any emergent coalition, particularly as the conservative party captured 42 seats in Saxony, just outpacing the AfD’s 41 seats. Meanwhile, Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) only managed six seats in Thuringia and performed poorly in Saxony, positioning them in fifth place.
The election outcomes have spotlighted the diminishing popularity of Germany’s current ruling coalition, leading Weidel to declare that voters have expressed their desire for a change in government and political direction. Immigration, particularly concerning refugees and asylum, emerged as the predominant issue among AfD supporters.
Concerns over the implications of the election results for citizens with migration backgrounds were voiced by Aslihan Yesilkaya-Yurtbay, a prominent figure in Berlin’s Turkish community. She described the outcomes as “shocking and frightening,” stating they jeopardize the future for many.
As the AfD continues to gain traction, attention now turns to the upcoming election in Brandenburg, scheduled for three weeks from now, where early polls indicate support for the AfD remains strong.
