A new path to power for the far right: Don’t moderate. Stay radical.
The AfD’s victory in eastern Germany is challenging conventional wisdom about how populist parties win elections.
A new path to power for the far right: Don't moderate, stay radical. Europe's far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a landslide victory in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, with 44% of the votes, suggesting a potential third option for the far right. This marks a departure from the conventional wisdom that populist parties must moderate to win elections.
The AfD's rise has challenged the notion that the far right is destined to mellow on its way to power, a phenomenon seen in Italy with Giorgia Meloni and France with Marine Le Pen. The AfD has embraced anti-immigration, anti-Islam rhetoric, and a pro-Russian stance, while still achieving significant electoral success. This surge has implications beyond eastern Germany, as similar trends are observed in other European countries like Sweden, France, Spain, Poland, and Italy.
The AfD's victory signals that nationalist and identitarian policies may be more effective in winning elections and gaining support from the majority of the population.
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