Germany’s Political Landscape Shifts as AfD Rises in Regional Elections

The political landscape in Germany is shifting underfoot, with early projections showing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) not just as a competitor but as a frontrunner in Thuringia and gaining ground in Saxony. These state elections aren’t merely local affairs; they are seen as a testing ground, a precursor for the federal elections that loom on the horizon. They reveal the public’s growing discontent with the current ruling coalition of Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats—an alliance that now appears increasingly fragile.

Huge day for Germany. If @AfD eventually win control of Germany then Germany may have a real shot at reversing the damage done to them.

Pro-family, pro-national identity, pro-safety, anti mass migration parties are ascendant worldwide. pic.twitter.com/jTXBSmjXaj

— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) September 1, 2024

In Thuringia, the unthinkable has happened. The AfD has broken through barriers that many thought impenetrable, becoming the first far-right party since the dark days of World War II to win a state election. Their lead over the Christian Democrats (CDU), the bedrock of Germany’s post-war center-right politics, is nearly 10%. This is not just a victory; it’s a seismic shift in the political landscape, one that rattles the very foundations of what was considered a stable democratic order.

The coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz is reeling from the blow. As they grapple with these losses, a new player is swiftly moving up the ranks—the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). This party, barely a year old, has managed to outpace the Left Party, a sign of how quickly political fortunes can change in this volatile climate. The BSW’s rise speaks to a deeper undercurrent in German politics, one that suggests a realignment of voter priorities, especially in the east.

#BREAKING : AfD wins elections in Thuringia, receiving 32 of 88 seats in region’s parliament

Right-wing German party Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the elections in Thuringia, receiving 32 of 88 seats in the local parliament (Landtag), according to official results published… pic.twitter.com/zNaBE1spmx

— upuknews (@upuknews1) September 2, 2024

Looking at the projected makeup of Thuringia’s 88-seat parliament, the picture is stark. The AfD is set to control around 31 seats, the CDU 23, the BSW 15, the Left Party 13, and the SPD a mere 6. The Green Party, failing to cross the 5% threshold, is left with no representation at all—a telling sign of the shifting political tides. Although other parties have firmly rejected the idea of forming a coalition with the AfD, their influence is undeniable. With over a third of the seats, they are in a position to block significant state assembly decisions, including judicial appointments, wielding power in ways that go beyond simple governance.

This election is only the third time the AfD has run in Thuringia, but their rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Since their founding in 2013, they have steadily climbed in popularity, especially in the eastern regions. In Thuringia alone, they’ve seen their vote share triple from 10% in 2014 to more than 30% in 2024—a clear sign of growing disillusionment with traditional parties.

Meanwhile, the ruling coalition in Thuringia, made up of the Left Party, SPD, and Greens, has watched its support dwindle. What once seemed a secure grip on power now appears tenuous at best. Saxony, too, tells a tale of shifting allegiances. The CDU maintains a slender lead with about 32% of the vote, just ahead of the AfD’s 30.8%, with the BSW trailing in third at 12%.

🇩🇪GERMANY’S RIGHT-WING AfD CELEBRATES ‘HISTORIC’ WIN IN EASTERN STATE

The anti-immigration party AfD has claimed a significant victory in Thuringia, winning nearly a third of the vote—9 points ahead of the CDU and surpassing Germany’s 3 governing parties.

AfD’s top candidate,… pic.twitter.com/1xuUWykVKk

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 2, 2024

Nationally, the coalition parties are faring poorly in Saxony as well. The Social Democrats hover around 7%, barely scraping by, while the Greens manage just over the 5% needed for parliamentary entry. Preliminary results suggest the AfD will have a nearly equal share of seats to the CDU in the Saxony parliament, a situation that mirrors their performance in Thuringia and signals a broader trend of rising far-right influence.

This is only the third election for the AfD in Saxony, yet their vote share has tripled since their initial foray in 2014. The former “Kenya coalition” of CDU, SPD, and Greens, once a symbol of broad-based governance, now seems diminished, overshadowed by the stark rise of the AfD—a party that represents a new, unpredictable chapter in German politics.

Major Points

• The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerged as the leading party in Thuringia, marking the first time a far-right party has won a state election since World War II.
• In Saxony, the AfD is nearly tied with the Christian Democrats (CDU), signaling a potential shift in political power in Germany’s eastern states.
• The ruling coalition of Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats is struggling, with their support declining sharply in both Thuringia and Saxony.
• The newly formed Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is quickly gaining traction, surpassing the Left Party in Thuringia and showing significant growth in Saxony.
• The AfD’s rise reflects growing voter discontent with traditional parties and could influence Germany’s political landscape ahead of the 2025 federal elections.

Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News