The AfD Is Rising. Germany’s Political Center Is Failing.
The Alternative for Germany built its nationwide constituency through relentless opposition to immigration, nativist appeal, and efforts to relativize Germany’s Nazi past.
In Saxony-Anhalt, a state in eastern Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party secured a significant win in a recent state election, with 43.8% of the vote. This exit poll result marks a major shift in the political landscape, challenging the leadership of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party.
Merz had promised to reduce support for the far-right AfD, but their victory has positioned them as a direct threat to the CDU's leadership. The AfD has gained enough traction to overtake the CDU in national polls, and Chancellor Merz's approval ratings have plummeted to unprecedented levels for a German chancellor. Despite attempts to backtrack on campaign promises, such as his commitment to uphold the debt brake, Merz has remained resolute in trying to preserve the "firewall" between the CDU and AfD, which aims to maintain Germany's postwar democratic order.
The AfD's rise has been fueled by voters' anger and frustration with the established political parties, particularly regarding immigration, the economy, and Germany's historical remembrance. As the CDU struggles to maintain its grip on power, it faces mounting pressure to address the growing influence of the AfD in upcoming regional elections.
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