The Alternative for Germany party's recent success in two state elections has created new challenges for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government and the country's main opposition party. The far-right party, known as AfD, made history by winning a state election in Thuringia, marking the first time a far-right party has achieved such a victory in post-World War II Germany. In Saxony, AfD closely trailed the mainstream conservative Christian Democratic Union.
Voters expressed discontent with the current national government, citing issues such as internal conflicts, inflation, a weak economy, anti-immigration sentiments, and skepticism towards German military aid for Ukraine. These factors contributed to the rise in support for populist parties in the eastern regions of Germany, which are less prosperous compared to the western parts of the country.
The recent elections have left the governing coalition in a difficult position, with the three parties receiving less than 15% of the total vote. The need to form state governments without involving AfD has led to potential alliances with a new leftist party that emerged as a significant winner in the elections.
The poor performance of Scholz's coalition in the European Parliament election earlier this year, coupled with the recent state election results, raises concerns about their ability to regain public trust ahead of the upcoming national election. The CDU, Germany's main opposition party, faces challenges in forming workable governments due to AfD's increased presence in state legislatures.
The rise of AfD in the eastern regions has forced other parties to consider unconventional coalitions to secure governing majorities. In Thuringia, potential alliances involving the CDU, Scholz's party, and the leftist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance have been discussed, but none have secured a majority so far.
The political landscape in Germany is undergoing significant shifts, with the recent elections highlighting the growing influence of populist and far-right parties. As the country prepares for the next national election, the outcome of these state elections may have far-reaching implications for the future of German politics.
