The country is divided between east and west once more.
Like the rest of Europe, Germany’s European Parliamentary elections, held on 9 June 2024, unfolded amid a growing disillusionment with governments and political parties. A decade-long decline in public trust has taken hold across much of Europe, with more and more sections of society feeling the impacts of rapid, unpredictable changes. These include economic stagnation, rising inflation, mounting public debt, growing inequality, and the precariousness of work and employment. Alongside these concerns, there are increasing shortages of housing, deteriorating environmental conditions, and crumbling public infrastructure—such as transportation, healthcare, primary education, and social security systems. The sense of insecurity and anxiety about the future has been palpable, creating a crisis of confidence in politics as usual, which is viewed by many as incapable of safeguarding ordinary citizens from these mounting risks. It is, by all accounts, a challenging time for governments and political parties.
The German elections revealed some significant trends. First, the conservative CDU/CSU alliance showed relative stability. However, the three governing coalition parties—the SPD, the Greens, and the FDP—suffered disastrous losses. Meanwhile, the far-right AfD party gained ground, a reflection of the increasing polarization in the country. In addition, a new political force emerged: Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), a breakaway from the increasingly marginalized Die Linke party. This shift in the political landscape demonstrates the growing divide in German society between those who adhere to the traditional political order and those who are seeking alternatives outside the mainstream.
One of the clearest divisions in this election result is the stark contrast between the eastern and western parts of Germany. The division between the two regions, a legacy of the country’s history, continues to manifest in political trends. The east, which was once part of communist East Germany, has been more prone to populist and radical shifts in political sentiment, evidenced by the success of parties like the AfD and BSW. On the other hand, the west, traditionally more liberal and centrist, has seen a decline in support for the coalition government parties.
The political instability in Germany mirrors broader trends across Europe, where citizens increasingly reject traditional party structures and the political elite. Many feel alienated from the government, perceiving it as ineffective in addressing their daily struggles. As a result, radical parties are gaining traction by presenting themselves as alternatives to the status quo, promising to tackle the issues that have been ignored by established parties.
Germany’s political future remains uncertain. While the rise of the AfD and BSW signals a shift to the right, it is not entirely clear whether these parties will be able to sustain their momentum in the long term or if new political movements will continue to emerge. What is certain, however, is that the growing divide between the east and west will continue to shape Germany’s political landscape for the foreseeable future. The underlying issues of economic and social inequality, compounded by the failures of traditional politics, are not going away, and the country’s divisions are unlikely to heal anytime soon.
