The recent elections in Saxony and Thuringia have revealed significant shifts in German politics, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party securing its first electoral victory in history. In Thuringia, the AfD won 33% of the vote, while in Saxony, it achieved around 30%. This success has shaken up the political status quo, with other parties expressing concern about the rise of right-wing extremism.
On the other end of the political spectrum, the leftist party led by Sahra Wagenknecht, called BSW, also made significant gains, outperforming their previous party, Die Linke. The BSW combines left-wing economic policies with an anti-immigration agenda, potentially finding common ground with the conservative CDU.
The elections also point to a deep discontent with the national government, highlighting issues such as infighting, anti-immigrant sentiment, and skepticism towards German military aid for Ukraine. Both the AfD and the BSW are critical of military engagement in the region and have close ties with Moscow, aligning with Russia’s stance on the conflict.
The results have put pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ruling coalition, as voters in Saxony and Thuringia punished the parties in the government. With upcoming state elections in Brandenburg and challenges in forming governing coalitions, the political landscape in Germany faces uncertainty. The success of the AfD and the BSW reflects changing attitudes among voters and could have wider implications for European policy.
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