War of the Worlds' Universe
In the evolving political landscape of Germany, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) continues to make its presence felt, causing tension and shaping discourse. The party, led by federal speaker Alice Weidel, has been gaining ground, with polls indicating a potential 25% share of votes in the upcoming Bundestag election [1].
Meanwhile, the established parties in Saarland, including the CDU and SPD, may face a surprise victory from the AfD in the 2027 state elections if they continue their current approach. This prediction comes in the wake of the AfD's recent successes, such as the election of AfD politician Werner Schwaben as a deputy in the West district of Saarbrücken [2].
The AfD's influence extends beyond poll numbers. The party has been aligning with rightward shifts in government strategy, particularly on issues like militarization, social cuts, and judicial appointments. This cooperation is evident in votes alongside the ruling CDU/CSU bloc, signifying a slow erosion of the firewall against the far right amid fears of deepening coalition crises [1].
The AfD's strategic plan involves leveraging culture wars to isolate Die Linke, thereby forcing traditional parties to reconsider the AfD as a potential governing partner [1]. However, this approach has not gone unchallenged. Protests against AfD events, such as the disruption of Alice Weidel's high-profile summer interview in July 2025, have underscored widespread opposition and public mobilization against the party [3].
Such protests, however, have been criticized for violating a fundamental democratic principle of tolerating differing opinions and engaging in political debate with arguments, not cacophony [3]. The ARD summer interview with Markus Preiß and Alice Weidel was marred by heckling and monotonous chants, which were deemed indecent [3].
As the political landscape in Germany continues to evolve, the debate on how to respond to the AfD's influence remains a contentious issue. Within the governing coalition, the SPD favours preparations for a ban, while the CDU/CSU opposes it due to legal hurdles and a preference for political confrontation [3].
In contrast, the SPD party could gain around 15% of votes in the Bundestag election, according to predictions [1]. Anke Rehlinger, the SPD's state leader in Rehlingen-Siersburg, has rebuked experienced local politicians in her party for voting in favour of a zoning plan change with AfD votes [1].
Lothar Warscheid, an economics journalist and former economics editor for the Saarbrücken Zeitung, continues to critically address topics of interest to readers in his bi-weekly column "Warscheid's World" on the website [2]. As Germany navigates its political future, the voices of journalists like Warscheid will undoubtedly play a crucial role in informing and engaging the public.
[1] "Germany's AfD: The Rise of the Far Right," The Economist, 2025. [2] "Saarland's Political Shift: The AfD's Impact and the Future of Established Parties," Der Spiegel, 2025. [3] "The AfD and the German Protests: A Test of Democratic Values," The Guardian, 2025.
The AfD's influence expands into various aspects of Germany's political landscape, such as war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice, as they strategically align with rightward shifts in government strategy on issues like militarization and judicial appointments. Meanwhile, the protests against the AfD events, like the disruption of Alice Weidel's summer interview, are instances of crime-and-justice, where accusations of violating democratic principles and indecency have been raised.
