The AfD’s first regional electoral victory is part of a wave sweeping the whole of Europe.
“You won’t only change Saxony and Thuringia’s future, but bring political change across Germany!” On the morning of Sunday’s elections, Alternative für Deutschland co-chair Alice Weidel had a clear message: the vote in these former Eastern states is a chance to send a message to the national as a whole.
In this regard, she was surely right. In both contests, the AfD took almost one-third of the vote. In Thuringia, it came in first place, marking the first such victory for a nationalist party in the Federal Republic’s history. In Saxony, it was only just edged out by the Christian Democrats, who are currently leading national polls ahead of the 2025 federal election.
This breakthrough marks a significant shift in German politics. The AfD’s rise has been part of a broader trend of far-right parties gaining ground across Europe, from Italy to France, Hungary to Poland. The party’s success in these key eastern states, particularly in Thuringia, sends a strong signal that the far right is a growing force, not just on the fringes but as a major player in mainstream politics.
The political landscape in Germany has long been shaped by a cautious center-left and center-right establishment. However, the AfD’s recent performance has shattered the dominance of these traditional parties, reflecting a broader wave of populism and nationalism sweeping Europe.
This shift is not only the result of dissatisfaction with mainstream political elites but also a deep sense of alienation in parts of the country, particularly in the former East Germany. The AfD has capitalized on economic and cultural grievances, offering simple, nationalist solutions to complex problems.
The party’s rise marks the culmination of years of political shifts in Germany, where traditional political structures are increasingly being challenged. The question now is whether the AfD’s momentum can continue to grow, and whether Germany’s political system can adjust to this new reality.
As the AfD continues to gain influence, it will undoubtedly reshape the political debate in Germany and across Europe, forcing the mainstream parties to reconsider their strategies and policies in response to the growing challenge from the far right.
