escalating right-wing politics in modern Germany
In recent state elections, East Germany has witnessed a significant shift in political allegiances, with voters expressing a growing disillusionment towards progressive political parties and traditional mainstream parties. This trend has resulted in the rise of far-right and populist left parties, reshaping the political landscape and increasing polarization.
The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has gained strong support in the former East German states, tapping into national conservative, right-wing populist, and anti-immigration sentiments. In the 2025 federal election, the AfD became the largest party in all five East German states, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the established parties, particularly among younger and middle-aged voters (18-44 age bracket). The regional economic difficulties and feelings of marginalization in the East amplify support for the AfD’s nationalist and anti-immigration platform. Their electoral success in Thuringia in 2024 marked the first time since WWII that a far-right party won a plurality in a German state.
The AfD is monitored as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor" by Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, highlighting its racist and anti-Muslim positions. Despite isolation from other mainstream parties, the AfD's parliamentary rights as the largest opposition party have granted it significant influence, particularly in Bundestag committees, fueling concerns about its growing power at the national level.
On the populist left, parties like Die Linke and the new leftist party spearheaded by Sahra Wagenknecht emphasize opposition to economic policies tied to Germany's stance on the Ukraine war, positioning themselves as antiwar and critical of the current neoliberal consensus. These parties appeal to voters discontent with mainstream parties’ policies, especially about economic decline and war support.
Historian Ilko-Soccha Kowalczuk argues that East Germans suffered a "freedom shock" after reunification, mistaking material wellbeing for freedom. This disillusionment, coupled with a perceived lack of opportunities and the feeling of not being heard, partly explains the disillusionment with party politics in East Germany.
The rise of these far-left and far-right parties evidences growing voter dissatisfaction with Germany’s political mainstream, leading to political fragmentation and a more polarized Bundestag. The traditional dominance of CDU/CSU (center-right) and SPD (center-left) has been undermined, with neither side commanding a stable majority and newer populist parties challenging established coalitions.
The coexistence of powerful far-right and leftist populist parties creates an unpredictable political environment, pressuring mainstream parties to respond to competing narratives on identity, sovereignty, social justice, and foreign policy. Mainstream politicians should not think that they successfully averted a far-right takeover and should address the root causes of disillusionment in East Germany. The AfD could use its strength to block constitutional amendments, the election of constitutional judges, and other political maneuvers.
In summary, regional economic disparities, dissatisfaction with mainstream policies (especially on immigration and the Ukraine war), and feelings of underrepresentation in the East underpin the rise of these populist movements, reshaping Germany’s national political dynamics towards fragmentation and polarization. It is crucial for mainstream politicians to engage with these issues and address the concerns of East German voters to prevent further political fragmentation and polarization.
- The growing disillusionment with traditional political parties in East Germany has led to a rise in political movements, with far-right parties, like the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), gaining support due to their nationalist, anti-immigration policies, and populist left parties, such as Die Linke and Sahra Wagenknecht's new party, appealing to voters dissatisfied with economic policies and war support.
- War-and-conflicts, particularly Germany's stance on the Ukraine war, and policy-and-legislation tied to immigration have become key issues in the general-news discourse, with populist parties like the AfD and Die Linke emphasizing their opposing views.
- The increase in crime-and-justice concerns, combined with the exacerbated feelings of marginalization and economic difficulties in the East, have further fueled support for extremist parties like the AfD, redefining the political landscape and causing fragmentation within the Bundestag.
