AfD Makes Historic Gains in German Election, Media Says Party is Second Coming of Nazis

Germany’s election week marks a pivotal moment, signaling the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and prompting varied media reactions.

At a Glance

• AfD achieved significant gains in Thuringia and Saxony, including a state election win.
• Media outlets, especially left-leaning ones, have controversially compared AfD’s rise to the Nazi party’s past ascent.
• Voters’ discontent with the national government and skepticism toward immigration and military aid for Ukraine aided AfD’s support.
• The surge of AfD’s popularity is being closely monitored, particularly among younger voters and in the eastern states.

Significant Gains for AfD

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a landmark victory in Germany’s recent elections, marking the first time a right-wing party has won a state election in post-World War II Germany. The party’s success was particularly notable in Thuringia, where its leader Björn Höcke, a hard-right figure, spearheaded the campaign. The AfD also performed strongly in Saxony, finishing close behind the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

Several factors have contributed to the party’s rise. Discontent with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) and its coalition partners has been rampant. Anti-immigration sentiment and skepticism surrounding military aid for Ukraine have also bolstered AfD’s support base. The party is particularly popular in the eastern states, where it attracts a significant portion of the youth vote, including 38% of 18-24-year-olds in Thuringia.

How the Media Reacted

The rise of AfD has not gone unnoticed by the media, particularly left-leaning outlets like CNN and BBC. The outlets have been controversial comparisons between the AfD’s rise and the ascent of Adolf Hitler’s National Socialists in the late 1920s. Historian Jens-Christian Wagner has warned voters against AfD’s policies relating to controlling immigration.

Omid Nouripour, a Green leader in Germany, also said that “an openly right-wing extremist party has become the strongest force in a state parliament for the first time since 1949,” also drawing comparison to the Nazis. 

While the AfD has its roots in radical right-wing ideologies and has advocated for stringent anti-immigration policies, equating its rise to that of the Nazi party is likely to contribute more to fear-mongering than constructive discussion.

Protests and Future Implications

The election results have also ignited a wave of protests. Thousands gathered in Thuringia’s capital, Erfurt, denouncing the AfD as fascists. However, AfD’s leaders, including Alice Weidel, have hailed the results as a ‘historic success’ and a repudiation of Scholz’s coalition government. Despite its success, other political parties have categorically ruled out forming a coalition with the AfD.

“Voters in Germany’s two eastern states are due to cast their ballots in elections in which the far right is expected to perform strongly. Still, the poll results will be seen as a litmus test ahead of Germany’s federal elections in 2025,” the BBC reports.

The election week serves as a precursor to Germany’s federal elections in 2025. As the AfD cements its position in German politics, observers will closely monitor its impact on national policies and societal values. The party’s advocacy for the expulsion of illegal migrants and its ability to block parliamentary decisions requiring a two-thirds majority underline its growing influence.